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The eye in papilloedema

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

The appearance of the eye in papilloedema depends upon the stage of the disease process in which the eye is examined:

  • Early:
    • disc is hyperaemic
    • blurring of disc margin
    • capillaries on disc become dilated and apparent
    • loss of venous pulsation

  • Established:
    • veins are engorged
    • central cup is obliterated
    • blood vessels are obscured at disc margin
    • flame shaped haemorrhages
    • cotton wool spots
    • hard exudates
    • retina is displaced from the disc with enlargement of the blind spot

  • Vintage - after about one week:
    • acute and haemorrhagic components resolve
    • disc becomes grey and pale, and may be so swollen as to resemble a champagne cork

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