Swelling in Optic Nerve

Posted by Brandi on May 19, 1999 at 11:27:29
I have been being treated for step in the blood for over a year, the doc said everything 'looked' ok. I went to have an eye exam, the findings are the my optic nervers are 'a little' swollen? I want to know if this swelling can be caused from the medication I have been taking or the strep itself. I have been taking PCE 500mg 2x's a day and herbs are kava and passion flower (for Panic attacks, or at least that is what the doc says it is) I just want to know if the stress on my body from the strep or meds could cause the small swelling or?, and no my optic nevers are not normal, I checked with the last place I had an eye exam done, they show tissue clear and heathy. Also I have noticed a mirror like glaze, only sometimes when I am looking around. No headaches or eye pain, no pain in the head ect... I do feel light headed, but doc says thatis stress. One other note, may or may not be important, 2x's in the past year I have woke up to find my right eye swollen (lid) and it would be that way all day. My main concern is this optic nerve swelling, isnt that sign of MS? Would you get an MRI? Thanks for any help!

Posted by HFHS M.D.-JL on May 19, 1999 at 11:32:17
First of all sometimes optic nerves appear swollen when they actually are not.  Certainly a work up should be done which would include a ct scan or mri along with a visual field test.  It is unlikely that the medicine you are currently taking is causing the swollen optic nerves.  The other symptoms that you are describing are also not likely related.  You may want to consider seeing a neuro-ophthalmologist for an additional opinion.
This information was provided for medical educational purposes only.
HFHS M.D.-JL