the eye in papilloedema
Last reviewed 06/2023
The appearance of the eye in papilloedema depends upon the stage of the disease process in which the eye is examined:
- Early:
- disc is hyperaemic
- blurring of disc margin
- capillaries on disc become dilated and apparent
- loss of venous pulsation
- Established:
- veins are engorged
- central cup is obliterated
- blood vessels are obscured at disc margin
- flame shaped haemorrhages
- cotton wool spots
- hard exudates
- retina is displaced from the disc with enlargement of the blind spot
- Vintage - after about one week:
- acute and haemorrhagic components resolve
- disc becomes grey and pale, and may be so swollen as to resemble a champagne cork