Pathogenesis of optic disc edema with increased intracranial pressure

Edema of the optic disc with increased intracranial pressure was first described in 1853. Since then, there have been many contradictory hypotheses explaining its pathogenesis. The purpose of this work was to investigate the basics of the pathogenesis of optic disc edema, to verify the validity of previous theories and, finally, on the basis of all these studies, to find a logical explanation for the mechanisms of pathogenesis. The studies included the following issues related to the pathogenesis of optic disc edema with increased intracranial pressure: anatomy and blood supply of the optic nerve, the role of the optic nerve sheath, centripetal fluid flow along the optic nerve, compression of the central retinal vein and acute intracranial hypertension and related consequences. A sharp increase in intracranial pressure was not accompanied by a rapid onset of edema of the optic disc. Then, the scientists managed to experimentally induce chronic intracranial hypertension by slowly increasing the size of volumetric lesions in different parts of the brain. It was found that edema of the optic disc was observed in patients with increased pressure of cerebrospinal fluid