Optic nerve drusen and pseudopapilledema

A case is presented in which unilateral visible optic nerve head drusen and a contralateral visual acuity loss are associated with moderate hypermetropia and the use of oral contraceptives. Optic nerve drusen are known to be responsible for visual field losses, but a reduction in visual acuity is a rare finding. Extensive investigation of this patient revealed no other cause for the visual acuity loss. However, the possibility of misdiagnosis of papilledema and papillitis is suggested by recent onset headache with unilateral visual acuity loss. A tentative diagnosis of buried drusen of the optic nerve in the affected eye is discussed.