Differential diagnosis of papilloedema

Optic disc swelling is a non-specific manifestation of injury to the intraorbital portion of the optic nerve, the nerve head (or disc). By convention, the term “papilledema” refers to optic disc edema that is due to increased intracranial pressure. Increased intracranial pressure typically causes bilateral swelling of the optic discs, although asymmetry in the degree of disc edema is not uncommon. Truly unilateral papilledema is rare. In most cases of papilledema (increased intracranial pressure), visual function is relatively preserved. This lecture will present the differential diagnosis of patients who present with bilateral disc edema of unknown etiology and discuss how to distinguish those who have true papilledema of increased intracranial pressure.