Congestive ophthalmopathy refers to the severe sight- threatening condition where optic nerve compression can lead to failure of vision, loss of colour vision, and field defects. Papilloedema is not invariably present, and optic atrophy is a late sign. Blepharospasm and corneal ulceration may occur. The term congestive ophthalmopathy (Fig. 17.38) is preferable to that of ΓÇÿmalignant exophthalmosΓÇÖ since the condition is not malignant in the usual sense of the word and exophthalmos may not be present.
