Chronic Papilledema

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Chronic papilledema.

The optic nerves remain elevated with blurred margins, with feathering of the retinal nerve fiber layer. The nerve can become more atrophic and pale. Retinochoroidal (optociliary) shunt vessels can form due to the chronic outflow obstruction (black arrow in left image). Refractile bodies representing lipid exudates can also be seen (black arrow in right image).

Image credit: Acheson JF. Idiopathic intracranial hypertension and visual function. Br Med Bull. 2006;79-80:233-244. Used for educational purposes.