Papilledema is optic disc swelling that is caused by increased intracranial pressure. The swelling is usually bilateral and can occur over a period of hours to weeks. Papilledema occurs in approximately 50% of those with a brain tumour. The optic disc is the point in the eye where the optic nerve enters the retina; it is not sensitive to light. ... Intracranial pressure is the pressure of the cerebrospinal fluid within the central nervous system. ... A brain tumor is any mass created by an abnormal and uncontrolled growth of cells either found in the brain (neurons, glial cells, epithelial cells, myelin producing cells, etc. ...

As the optic nerve sheath is continuous with the subarachnoid space of the brain (and is regarded as an extension of the central nervous system), increased pressure is transmitted through to the optic nerve. The brain itself, is relatively spared from pathological consequences of high pressure. However, the anterior end of the optic nerve stops abruptly at the eye. Hence the pressure is asymmetrical and this causes a pinching and protrusion of the optic nerve at its head. The fibers of the retinal ganglion cells of the optic disc become engorged and bulge anteriorly. Persistent and extensive optic nerve head swelling, or optic disc edema, can lead to loss of these fibers and permanent visual impairment. The optic nerve is the nerve that transmits visual information from the retina to the brain. ... The meninges (singular meninx) are the system of membranes that contain the brain. ... In the anatomy of animals, the brain, or encephalon, is the supervisory center of the nervous system. ... The vertebrate central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord. ...

Checking the eyes for signs of papilledema should be carried out whenever there is a clinical suspicion of raised intracranial pressure. Because of the (rare) possibility of a brain tumor or pseudotumor cerebri, both of which can increase intracranial pressure, this examination has become common for patients suffering from headaches. There are 10 hallmarks of papilledema: An eye is an organ that detects light. ... In medicine, a sign is a feature of disease as detected by the doctor. ... Intracranial pressure is the pressure of the cerebrospinal fluid within the central nervous system. ... A brain tumor is any intracranial mass created by an abnormal and uncontrolled growth of cells either normally found in the brain itself (neurons, glial cells - astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, ependymal cells, lymphatic tissue, blood vessels), in the cranial nerves (myelin producing cells Schwann cells), in the brain envelopes (meninges), skull, pituitary... Benign intracranial hypertension (BIH), also known by the obsolete term pseudotumor cerebri is a neurologic disease that is caused by increased intracranial pressure in the subarachnoid space surrounding the brain without any indication of intracranial pathology. ... A headache is a condition of mild to severe pain in the head; sometimes upper back or neck pain may also be interpreted as a headache. ...

• blurring of the disc margins
• filling in of the optic disc cup
• anterior bulging of the nerve head
• edema of the nerve fiber layer
• retinal or choroidal folds
• congestion of retinal veins
• peripapillary hemorrhages
• hyperemia of the optic nerve head
• nerve fiber layer infarcts
• hard exudates of the optic disc