Three-Layered Optic Disc Hemorrhages in Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension

Papilledema related to idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) may present with optic disc hemorrhaging. The significance and characteristics of these hemorrhages still remains to be clarified. Here, we present 2 unique cases with severe unilateral optic disc hemorrhaging in all 3 retinal layers (preretinal, intraretinal, and subretinal) and a good visual outcome. A 42- and a 44-year-old woman presented with signs and symptoms of raised intracranial pressure. Visual acuity was normal and Humphrey visual field testing showed only mild vision loss with enlarged blind spots. Dilated fundus examination revealed moderate papilledema in both eyes with severe optic disc hemorrhaging in the left eye in the first patient and the right eye in the second patient. The optic disc hemorrhaging occurred in all 3 retinal layers (preretinal, intraretinal, and subretinal), and the fellow eyes had only minimal hemorrhage. All patients had normal magnetic resonance imaging/magnetic resonance venography, and lumbar punctures revealed elevated opening pressures and normal cerebrospinal fluid contents. The papilledema resolved after 4 months in both cases with medical therapy. Optic disc hemorrhaging may be severe in patients with IIH, but this does not necessarily confer a poor visual outcome. The differential diagnosis of hemorrhages in all 3 retinal layers may be expanded to include IIH.