Deep Learning Can Accurately Distinguish Between True Papilledema and Optic Disc Drusen on Fundus Photographs

Identification of true papilledema due to raised intracranial pressure requires high neuro-ophthalmic expertise and expensive ancillary testing. Its ophthalmoscopic diagnosis can be easily mistaken with false papilledema due to optic disc drusen (ODD), especially if the latter are buried within the optic nerve. We aimed to evaluate the performance of a deep learning system (DLS) to automatically distinguish between true papilledema and ODD on standard retinal fundus images, in a large international multiethnic population.