Papillodema

Dear Dr.John.We have spoken before and you were a great help to me.I hope you can be again.
I have IIH and papillodema in both eyes.
I had a VP shunt fitted last Dec08 and while it is working properly it seems unable to cope with my continued high pressure.Last lumber puncture( 8 weeks ago) the opening pressure was 32. Still high.
I was to have a second Vp shunt fitted this month but now cant due to the fact that the ventricles have collapsed.
To date , there has been no improvment in the paps.
My concern is that, with continuing high pressure,how much damage is being done to the optic nerves?Also, am I in danger of losing my eye sight?
I have already lost some peripheral vision and the blind spot continues to be enlarged.
I would very much appreciate your input and or a recommended site where I can get more imformation.
I continue to be under the care of my neuro and ophthalmologist.
Thaking you,Cath278.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

People have very different abilities to tolerate pressure. Sso there is no way of telling you how your optic nerve will tolerate the pressure. Please discuss this with your neuroophthalmologist. He/she will be able to tell you how your nerve is holding up.

JCH MD