Modern Health Observation

Papilledema is swelling of the optic nerve as it enters the back of the eye area. When you have a headache or unexplained nausea or vomiting, your doctor will look inside the eye with an ophthalmoscope, a handheld instrument that generates a bright light into the eye. Changes in the appearance of the optic nerve and blood vessels passing through it can be seen through the ophthalmoscope and might relate to the cause of your symptoms.

The anatomy of the optic nerve is a sensitive indicator of problems within the brain. This nerve is a thick cord that connects the posterior of the eyeball and the retina to the brain. In this short journey between the brain and eye, cerebrospinal fluid bathes the entire surface of the optic nerve. This fluid protects the nerve from sudden movement. However, even slight increases in pressure of this fluid, due to brain swelling, can compress the optic nerve around its entire circumference. When this nerve is exposed to high blood pressure or swelling develops by itself, may protrude through the rear wall of the eyeball, causing papilledema.

Some important causes of increased pressure due to cerebrospinal fluid and brain tumors brain infections, such as brain abscess, meningitis or encephalitis. A significant proportion of people who are diagnosed with brain tumors have some signs of papilledema. An increase in pressure as a result of hemorrhage (bleeding) for high blood pressure can also cause papilledema.

A condition can raise blood pressure in the cerebrospinal fluid without associated swelling of the brain or ventricles. This condition, called pseudotumor cerebri or benign intracranial hypertension, occurs when the body produces too much cerebrospinal fluid. It is more common in obese women of childbearing age. The condition appears to be triggered when the body must adjust to hormonal changes such as pregnancy, the beginning of taking contraceptive tablet, the first menstrual period or menopause.

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