Elevated Optic Nerve. Normal vision, told not to worry. Do I need a second opinion?

[jasmithe]

I'm a male in my mid-20s. Had 2 prior sinus surgeries with no known complications. Vision is better than 20/20 (uncorrected). I had an eye exam and my optometrist stated that the nerve in my right eye was elevated (never mentioned swollen, but I don't know if they are related).  He mentioned that it could be from deposits pressing on the base of the nerve.  He said not to worry at all but to come back if I start getting headaches or otherwise in a year to reevaluate.

I think he diagnosed with pseudopapilledema.  I'm reading all online of the horrible stuff and tests they perform for swelling and worrying about it a lot.  Do I need a second opinion?  Is this something that I could simply have rechecked in a year (or six months?) to see if the elevation is progressing and then worry about getting a second opinion if it is?

[JohnHaganMD]

You have not seen a physician Eye MD for a problem that I feel needs an Eye MD rather than leaving you hanging as the optom did. See an ophthalmologist, ask for an optic nerve OCT, simple test can tell if you have optic nerve drusen or any of the other causes of true papilledema or pseudopapilledema.  I suspect with the superior training and instrumentation you only will need office tests and that the Eye MD will be able to set your mind at ease.

[jasmithe]

Thanks, if it is just a benign harmless abnormality, I take it the OCT would be able to determine that?

[JohnHaganMD]

Yes an exam by an Eye MD and if he/she thinks its necessary an optic nerve OCT should give the answers. OCT is simple, quick and not expensive.

[jasmithe]

Thanks so much for your help. I just made an appointment with an MD.

[JohnHaganMD]

If you get a chance post what you find out. Best of luck.

[jasmithe]

Just wanted to let you know MD took a look and actually said both eyes looked the same.  If I understood correctly there was no drusen but normal anatomical elevation that could suggest that I develop/get drusen in my 30s/40s.  And even if that happens, I think he said drusen rarely causes significant peripheral vision loss.  So thank you again for the advice, seeing the MD did put my mind to ease.

[jasmithe]

Also I'm not sure if they did an OCT scan or not but I did put my head on this machine that looked like a big white bubbly TV camera with a smaller digital camera looking thing on top.  Looked into a lens that had a flashing green light then it flashed white for the imaging.