A clinical analysis of pseudopapilledema. I. Population, laterality, acuity, refractive error, ophthalmoscopic characteristics, and coincident disease.

To clarify clinical features of pseudopapilledema, 142 cases (250 eyes) were analyzed regarding sex, age, race, bilaterality, acuity, refractive error, fundus characteristics, and coincident disease. Ninety-eight cases of identifiable hyaline bodies ([HB] group 1) were compared with 44 cases of pseudopapilledema without HB (group 2). The following results were notable: marked predominance of whites; one third in group 1 were unilateral, and 14% of all pseudopapilledema was unilateral; in only one eye did HB apparently account for diminished acuity; refractive error distribution paralleled that in the general population; anomalous vascular patterns occurred in 20% of group 1 and in 31% of group 2; pigment epithelial changes were found in 33% of group 1 and in 20% of group 2; and a statistically significant association was found with retinitis pigmentosa only. Analysis of field defects is the subject of a companion report.