Both optic nerves swollen

Raisinsandweetabix · 2024-03-02T21:59:27+00:00

My 7 year old DS went for a routine eye test today, and has been referred to the eye hospital due to both optic nerves being swollen. Obviously I'm scared of potential causes especially with it being both eyes. (Google mentions brain tumor which is scaring me silly) has anyone experienced this please? He has no other symptoms apart from occasional eye squinting

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nocoolnamesleft · 02/03/2024 22:05

Obviously it needs checking out. But in the last few years we've seen an explosion in children being referred in for allegedly swollen discs at a routine eye appointment. And we're checking them all out. But so far none of the ones we've seen has actually had anything wrong. Apparently there was a legal case a few years ago where an optician was blamed for missing swollen discs, so the threshold for referral plummeted. Fingers crossed that this is the case for you.

Original poster

Raisinsandweetabix · 02/03/2024 22:08

nocoolnamesleft · 02/03/2024 22:05

Obviously it needs checking out. But in the last few years we've seen an explosion in children being referred in for allegedly swollen discs at a routine eye appointment. And we're checking them all out. But so far none of the ones we've seen has actually had anything wrong. Apparently there was a legal case a few years ago where an optician was blamed for missing swollen discs, so the threshold for referral plummeted. Fingers crossed that this is the case for you.

Thankyou for your reply. I'm worried mainly because it's both eyes I think.

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nocoolnamesleft · 02/03/2024 22:10

Yeah, I think almost all the referrals we've seen have been both eyes. If they're worried it is absolutely right to get it checked out, but there are good odds that this will turn out to be nothing.

Original poster

Raisinsandweetabix · 02/03/2024 22:12

nocoolnamesleft · 02/03/2024 22:10

Yeah, I think almost all the referrals we've seen have been both eyes. If they're worried it is absolutely right to get it checked out, but there are good odds that this will turn out to be nothing.

Thankyou again. Much appreciated

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Catclown · 02/03/2024 22:35

This happened to my son when he was around the same age. I was worried sick also, he was diagnosed with optic disc drusion. Worse in the left than the right. It does not affect his sight but can affect peripheral vision in the future. It was explained to me as a build up of calcium in the optic nerves. They don’t do anything for it but he has more regular eye tests and they compare the nerve pic to the previous test to make sure if anything changes it’s picked up on sooner.

its really hard not to worry but as PP said they do refer more cases due to the optician missing a case.

I hope your appointment comes soon as the waiting and worrying is awful.

Original poster

Raisinsandweetabix · 02/03/2024 22:41

Catclown · 02/03/2024 22:35

This happened to my son when he was around the same age. I was worried sick also, he was diagnosed with optic disc drusion. Worse in the left than the right. It does not affect his sight but can affect peripheral vision in the future. It was explained to me as a build up of calcium in the optic nerves. They don’t do anything for it but he has more regular eye tests and they compare the nerve pic to the previous test to make sure if anything changes it’s picked up on sooner.

its really hard not to worry but as PP said they do refer more cases due to the optician missing a case.

I hope your appointment comes soon as the waiting and worrying is awful.

Thankyou, and I'm glad your son's outcome was positive

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Castlereagh · 03/03/2024 19:58

Hiya my DC had bilateral swollen optic nerves and it was a brain tumour. However we were told we had to go straight to eye casualty that day, that the discs were pale and one had some sort of broken capillaries round it. I think they can see when it is really serious/urgent. My DC was also symptomatic of brain tumour causing hydrocephalus although mildly, so mild occasional headache, loss of appetite, occasionally being sick. As pp have said, people who get normal referrals to eye clinic seem to get there and find it's Drusen.

Original poster

Raisinsandweetabix · 03/03/2024 20:56

Castlereagh · 03/03/2024 19:58

Hiya my DC had bilateral swollen optic nerves and it was a brain tumour. However we were told we had to go straight to eye casualty that day, that the discs were pale and one had some sort of broken capillaries round it. I think they can see when it is really serious/urgent. My DC was also symptomatic of brain tumour causing hydrocephalus although mildly, so mild occasional headache, loss of appetite, occasionally being sick. As pp have said, people who get normal referrals to eye clinic seem to get there and find it's Drusen.

Oh gosh I'm so sorry, I really hope he is ok now xx

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Original poster

Raisinsandweetabix · 04/03/2024 15:58

Took him to the children's ophthalmology ward today and all tests/ images were in normal range. Very very slight blurred margin in right eye but pressure was normal. Told to keep a close 'eye' (sorry 😄) on it but not to worry as yet, Thankyou all x

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Castlereagh · 04/03/2024 16:50

Great news hopefully you can relax now!

nocoolnamesleft · 04/03/2024 18:19

Excellent news.