What Have We Learned From the Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension Treatment Trial

Acetazolamide is commonly used to treat idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) but there is insufficient information to establish an evidence base for its use.Objective: To determine whether acetazolamide is beneficial in improving vision when added to a low sodium, weight reduction diet in IIH patients with mild visual loss. Design: Multicenter randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled study of acetazolamide in IIH participants with mild visual loss who are receiving a low sodium, weight reduction diet. Setting: Participants were enrolled at 38 academic and private practice sites in North America. Conclusions and Relevance: We found a statistically significant improvements in visual field function, quality of life measures, papilledema grade and CSF pressure in the acetazolamide group. We recommend using the maximally tolerated dosage of acetazolamide along with a low sodium weight reduction diet in IIH patients with mild visual loss.