Swelling behind both Eyes

[littlestar2000]

I went for a regular eye exam about 6 months ago the eye doctor sent me to a Neuro-ophthalmologist due to swelling behind both my eyes.  I did tell the dr. that it hurts to not wear my sunglasses when it is really sunny out, to the point I can’t open my eyes, they seem to dismiss this.  Even when they check my eyes out and point that stupid bright light into my eyes I jerk away because it hurts.  I had been getting headaches two to three times a week, I first I thought it was a sinus headache but the pain was from the top of my eyes going all the way back to my neck.  I was sent for a MRI, CT scan and a spinal tap.  MRI and CT scan came back fine.  My spinal tap pressure was a 19 and they removed three values of fluid (I did get the headache afterwards that lasted a week). Haven’t really had headaches since, maybe one or two with in the past five months.  Just went back for my two month follow up and my eyes are still swollen have not gone down at all.  NOW I have to go for a VEP test.  My dr. is not really saying much he did tell me that I could have just been born this way?  REALLY, I started getting blurry vision about 19 years ago and I figured it was because I worked on computers all day.  I have been getting my eyes checked for the passed 19 years and NOW you are seeing the swelling... On my referral it says my Diagnosis is Papilledema, what are my chances this could be leaning towards MS?  

[Sandy Feldman, MD, MS]

Dear littlestar2000,

If optic neuritis is associated with brain lesions on MRI, then a diagnosis of MS is more likely.  I am unsure of your situation but would recommend that you continue to be followed closely.

Dr. Feldman

Sandy T. Feldman, M.D., M.S.
ClearView Eye and Laser Medical Center
San Diego, California

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

You have a serious problem that can be caused by things that are life-threatening (tumors) so your MDs concerns and all out testing are indicated. It is good that the tests have not shown tumor. It is very unlikely due to MS. MS causes papillitis but not papelledema.  Not sure what the spinal tap pressure means but the most common cause would be pseudo-tumor cerebri. Ask your MDs about that.

JCHMD