Papillitis or anterior optic neuritis is indistinguishable ophthalmoscopically from papilledema.
| 41. | SLIDE 41 shows an inflamed disc with obscuration of the disc margins and disc swelling.
However papillitis is accompanied by a dramatic decrease in visual acuity and an afferent pupillary defect is readily apparent. The disease process is most often unilateral. |
| ETIOLOGY OF PAPILLITIS | |
|---|---|
| CHILDREN | POST VIRAL HERPES SIMPLEX OR ZOSTER SARCOID LEUKEMIA |
| MIDDLE AGE | GRANULOMATOUS PROCESSES MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS |
| OLDER PATIENTS | GIANT CELL ARTERITIS ISCHEMIA RELATED TO ARTERIOSCLEROSIS OR DIABETES |
Papillitis can have significant visual consequences, and prompt referral is indicated.