Bilateral optic nerve swelling + inflammation

Hi. I understand that alot of individuals on the forum have asked similar questions in regards to this topic, and I've tried to sivve out some of the replies to answer my question.

I visited my optican around 6weeks ago as i'd noticed a rapid decline in my sight (I've been short sighted since the birth of my daughter 13years ago), and I'd also been experiencing dull aches within the frontal regions of my head (non-localised). Upon investigation, my optician  noticed 'severe' swelling
and inflammation to both optic nerves. Given my family h/o aneurysms/tumors, and previous illness over the last 6months, my optican has made an emergency referral for an MRI scan (which I'm still waiting for).

I've tried to avoid looking into information regarding this matter as I'm fully aware that more testing would be needed. As far as I'm aware, my BP is sound (although I have intermittent tachycardia [160+] ).  

My question is, is there any chance this could be congenital? I have noticed other things in regards to this matter, but I'm avoiding trying to make associations at this time.

Thank you

Catherine

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

If the optic nerves are truly both swollen, that would be papilledema, which can be caused by increased intracranial pressure.  Many causes of increased intracranial pressure can be serious so it would be my hope that perhaps your optic nerve heads are not truly swollen, but maybe just gave that impression.  The MRI will be extremely important if determining what is going on.  I'm sorry it is taking so long to get it, you must be anxious.  Again, if you truly have papilledema you would need to at least be aware of causes such as extreme hypertension, tumor either benign or malignant, other intracranial mass such as arteriovenous malformation, idiopathic intracranial hypertension, aneurysm, head injuries, drug side effects and other causes.  There is also a situation called pseudopapilledema where the optic nerves look a little like real papilledema but they are actually nearly normal and the patients has no problems at all.

MJK MD