Papilledema and Anemia: A Rare Association

Abstract

Papilledema is the swelling of the optic disc due to the transmission of intracranial pressure through the optic nerve. It can occur as a symptom of various intracranial pathologies that elevate the intracranial pressure. Even though anemia has been described as an association with raised intracranial pressure, the exact causal relationship between the two has not been well established in the literature. We present one such unusual case wherein a 21-year-old female patient, who complained of headaches, was found to have papilledema and severe anemia. After an unyielding workup for secondary causes, the rare association between papilledema and anemia was considered and prompt hemoglobin correction was ensued. Subsequently, resolution of papilledema and improvement in the visual acuity of the patient was observed. Although the causal relationship between anemia and papilledema has not been thoroughly explained, appropriate workup and correction of anemia play an integral role in the management of patients with papilledema and the prevention of long-term ocular complications.

Keywords: anemia; idiopathic intracranial hypertension (iih); iron deficiency anemia (ida); papilledema; raised intracranial pressure.