What is Papilledema?

Papilledema means both optic nerves are swollen because the pressure inside the skull is elevated — and it is treated as urgent until proven otherwise, because causes range from idiopathic intracranial hypertension to a mass, bleed, or clot. Warning symptoms include headaches that are often worse on waking or lying down, brief seconds-long dim-outs of vision, double vision, pulsatile whooshing in the ears, and nausea. Suspected papilledema calls for same-day evaluation and urgent brain imaging — call us at (717) 637-1919 immediately, or go to the emergency room.