papplidema

can anxiety have an effect on papplidema? does it make it worse?

[suzanna1]

and is it possible to tell that my optic nerve is plugged by looking into it with a light or do they have to do different tests

[Abhijeet Deshmukh, MD]

Hi.

There is no evidence that anxiety worsens intracranial pressure and papilledema. Papilledema is a sign of increased intracranial pressure. The optic nerve head has reduced cupping. The disc margins are blurred. There are some other signs also, which can be seen by an ophthalmoscope. The test which you mention (looking in the eye with a light) is ophthalmoscopy. It is usually sufficient to diagnose papilledema. There is one more test called Slit Lamp examination. It is not always necessary to do slit lamp, but in some cases, where ophthalmoscopy does not give a clear picture, it is done.

Hope you are fine today.