Optic disc swelling caused by increased intracranial pressure is known as:

Optic disc swelling caused by increased intracranial pressure is known as:

• A. Optic Neuritis
• B. Papilledema
• C. Diabetic Retinopathy
• D. Macular Edema

Answer: (B)

When intracranial pressure rises, the pressure is transmitted along the optic nerve sheath to the optic disc, causing stasis of axoplasmic flow and swelling of the optic nerve head. This disc swelling due to raised intracranial pressure is called papilledema. It is often bilateral and can be accompanied by headaches, nausea, or other signs of increased ICP. Optic neuritis, in contrast, is an inflammatory process of the optic nerve that typically presents with acute, unilateral vision loss and eye-pain with movement, and it is not driven by intracranial pressure. Diabetic retinopathy and macular edema are retinal conditions related to diabetes, presenting with retinal hemorrhages, microaneurysms, lipid exudates, and macular thickening, rather than swelling of the optic disc from ICP.

When intracranial pressure rises, the pressure is transmitted along the optic nerve sheath to the optic disc, causing stasis of axoplasmic flow and swelling of the optic nerve head. This disc swelling due to raised intracranial pressure is called papilledema. It is often bilateral and can be accompanied by headaches, nausea, or other signs of increased ICP.

Optic neuritis, in contrast, is an inflammatory process of the optic nerve that typically presents with acute, unilateral vision loss and eye-pain with movement, and it is not driven by intracranial pressure. Diabetic retinopathy and macular edema are retinal conditions related to diabetes, presenting with retinal hemorrhages, microaneurysms, lipid exudates, and macular thickening, rather than swelling of the optic disc from ICP.