Elevated Optic Nerves

[semgsm]

I am a sixty year old female and went for my annual eye exam.  I was told by my optometrist my left eye optic nerves were elevated - OS>OD.  Also has irregular Mac. OS.  She had her nurse call and make an appointment for me to see an Opthalmologist tomorrow.  I had a Brian MRI in December and the report reads.  "There is nonspecific mild focal areas of bilateral supratentorial which is commonly scondary to chronic microvascular ischemia.  MS seems less likely, but cannot be excluded".

I have intermittent headaches only on the left side and at times feel nauseous.   Should I be concerned?

[JohnHaganMD]

Best of luck

[semgsm]

Thank you for your quick response.  I will update tomorrow after my appointment.

[JohnHaganMD]

Yes especially if you have seen this optometrist on a regular basis. This implies the OD has noted a change. If you are seeing her for the first time then its far more likely that she is just exhibiting the usual amount of ultra caution in a nation full of trial lawyers trolling for cases. There are benign causes of elevated nerve heads the most common being hyperopia or farsightedness or optic nerve drusen. Your recent MRI of the brain would seem to rule out brain tumors causing true papilledema.   Same way if you have seen this optom before and the macular is "irregular" when you see the ophthalmologist tomorrow also ask for a "macular OCT" that can tell if the macula has any problem.   Chances are good the Eye MD will have favorable results. please consider coming back and giving readers your results. JCH MD