How is optic nerve swelling diagnosed?

Ophthalmoscopy. During this examination, your doctor shines a bright light into your eye and examines the structures at the back of your eye. This eye test evaluates the optic disk, where the optic nerve enters the retina in your eye. The optic disk becomes swollen in about one-third of people with optic neuritis.

What causes swelling of the optic disc?

Cases with bilateral optic disc swelling are often associated with papilledema, infiltrative optic neuropathy, toxic optic neuropathy, and malignant hypertension [1]. The most common cause of optic disc swelling in Caucasians has been reported to be anterior ischemic optic neuropathy [2].

What is the most common cause of optic nerve swelling?

The most common cause for ON is inflammatory demyelination of the optic nerve. Demyelination is a process in which the myelin is stripped off by disease. It is believed that ON is an autoimmune process, where for some unknown reason the immune system attacks tissues of the body causing injury.

Can an optometrist diagnose papilledema?

The conditions that cause papilledema can cause serious damage to the optic nerve or to the brain, resulting in vision loss or brain damage if not treated. Often, papilledema is detected as part of the routine eye examination that you would have if you see an optometrist, an ophthalmologist, or a neurologist.

Can a CT scan detect optic neuritis?

People who show symptoms of optic neuritis for the first time are likely to undergo imaging tests of the optic nerve and brain. A computed tomography (CT) scan or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan can help doctors determine if a person has MS.

Is papilledema an emergency?

A: Papilledema is considered a medical emergency, regardless of the patients insurance, says Kelly Malloy, O.D., director of the Neuro-Ophthalmic Disease Clinical Specialty Service at Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University.

How can you tell the difference between papilledema and Pseudopapilledema?

Pseudopapilledema is defined as anomalous elevation of one or both optic discs without edema of the retinal nerve fiber layer. Papilledema, on the other hand, is a swelling of the optic disc due to increased intracranial pressure.

Is papilledema easy to diagnose?

Pseudopapilledema is a fairly common finding in ophthalmic practice, and in many cases, the diagnosis is straightforward. However, an accurate diagnosis can challenge the most seasoned clinicians, and missing true papilledema can result in life-threatening or vision-threatening consequences.

Can a swollen optic nerve be nothing?

It’s possible for the optic nerve to be inflamed without affecting vision. A careful, medical evaluation of the eye can generally pinpoint optic neuritis even if you don’t have symptoms.