Treatment

The goals are to lower the pressure, relieve symptoms and protect your sight. Your plan is tailored to you and depends on how severe your symptoms and eye findings are.

Weight management

If you are living with obesity, weight loss often helps reduce pressure and symptoms. Your team can support you with a structured weight management programme.

Medicines

• Acetazolamide or topiramate to reduce CSF production.
• Diuretics (water tablets) in some cases to reduce fluid retention.

Procedures and surgery

Used when vision is at risk, symptoms are severe, or medicines are not enough.

• Venous sinus stenting A tiny mesh tube (stent) is placed in a narrowed brain vein to improve drainage and lower pressure.

• CSF shunt A thin tube is placed to drain extra CSF from the brain to another part of the body. Shunts can relieve pressure but have a notable risk of blockage or needing further surgery.

• Optic nerve sheath fenestration Eye surgery that makes small openings in the covering of the optic nerve to release pressure and protect sight.

Outlook (prognosis)

With timely treatment, most people improve and the risk of permanent sight loss falls. IIH does not usually affect life expectancy. Ongoing follow-up is important, especially regular eye checks.