Pseudopapilloedema with and without verified optic disc drusen. A clinical analysis II: visual fields

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Neuro-ophthalmology

Background:

• Pseudopapilloedema, or false swelling of the optic disc, can mimic serious conditions.
• Optic disc drusen are crystalline deposits within the optic nerve head and can be associated with visual field abnormalities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze visual field findings in patients with pseudopapilloedema.
• To compare visual field defects in patients with and without optic disc drusen.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of visual field findings in 200 patients with pseudopapilloedema.
• Examination of Goldmann and/or Friedmann visual fields in 383 eyes.
• Correlation of visual field defects with the presence and type of optic disc drusen.

Main Results:

• Visual field defects were present in 38.9% of eyes with pseudopapilloedema without drusen, versus 73.4% with drusen.
• Eyes with superficial optic disc drusen exhibited the highest rate of visual field defects (85.8%).
• Only 7 patients reported subjective visual field complaints, despite objective findings.

Conclusions:

• Optic disc drusen are strongly associated with visual field defects in pseudopapilloedema.
• The presence and type of optic disc drusen influence the severity of visual field impairment.
• Visual field testing is crucial in managing pseudopapilloedema, especially when optic disc drusen are suspected or confirmed.