Papilloedema

This is a close up of an optic nerve that is bulging upward as a result of increased intracranial pressure; that is to say, the pressure of the fluid surrounding the brain is raised. Space taking lesions (tumours of the brain and spinal cord) can cause this condition, but it can also be as a result of "Benign Intracranial Hypertension" (as in this case). The causes of Benign Intracranial Hypertension can be various. In this case, the patient was deemed to be obese and was prescribed Diamox (to reduce the volume of fluid around the brain) and was advised to reduce body mass.