What eye symptoms are commonly associated with idiopathic intracranial hypertension?

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension, or IIH, is a condition characterized by increased intracranial pressure without an identifiable secondary cause. One of the hallmark symptoms associated with IIH is an enlarged blind spot, also known as a scotoma. This enlargement occurs due to the pressure exerted on the optic nerve, leading to papilledema. Over time, the optic nerve can become compromised, causing visual field defects that often manifest as an increase in the size of the blind spot during visual field testing.

While double vision, loss of peripheral vision, and night blindness can occur in various eye conditions, they are not specific indicators associated with IIH. Double vision typically arises from cranial nerve palsies or muscle imbalance issues, while peripheral vision loss and night blindness are more often linked to conditions affecting the retina or optic pathways. In contrast, the enlargement of the blind spot is a direct result of the pathological processes occurring in idiopathic intracranial hypertension, making it a key symptom in the diagnosis and monitoring of the condition.