Ophthalmic features of optic disc drusen.

Purpose: To evaluate the ophthalmoscopic manifestations of patients with visible and hidden optic disc drusen (ODD).

Method: We studied 55 patients (100 eyes) with ODD that were confirmed using B-scan ultrasonography and a control group of 60 patients (100 eyes) for differential diagnosis. We analysed the optic nerve features with stereoscopic photography and compared the characteristics between visible and hidden ODD and between hidden ODD and papilloedema.

Results: The patients with ODD presented the following ophthalmoscopic features: visible drusen (52%), blurred edges (84%), raised optic disc (74%), absence of optic disc cupping (69%), absence of venous pulse (54%), abnormal vascular branching (81%), presence of cilioretinal vessels (42%), peripapillary atrophy (56%) and haemorrhages (2%). Comparison of the qualitative characteristics of the papillae of the eyes with visible and hidden ODD showed statistically significant differences in all parameters studied, except for morphological alterations (p = 0.851) and haemorrhage (p = 0.954). Comparison of hidden ODD with papilloedema showed statistically significant differences in blurred edges, disc elevation, absence of optic disc cupping, altered colour, anomalous vascular branching and optic disc haemorrhages (p < 0.005).

Conclusions: Ophthalmologic features associated with ODD can help us to diagnose their presence and avoid confusing them with papilloedema.