Papilledema is an optic disc swelling that is secondary to elevated intracranial pressure.[1, 2] In contrast to other causes of optic disc swelling, vision usually is well preserved with acute papilledema. Papilledema almost always presents as a bilateral phenomenon and may develop over hours to weeks.
The term, as a matter of definition, is incorrect to be used to describe optic disc swelling with underlying optic nerve infectious, infiltrative, or inflammatory etiologies; but, it is correctly used if the underlying cause of elevated intracranial pressure is infectious, infiltrative, or inflammatory.