When Headache Isn’t Just Headache: Two Years of Symptoms and the Value of Ophthalmic Awareness in Undiagnosed Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension: A Case Report

We report a case of previously undiagnosed idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) in a young woman with a two-year history of persistent headache and dizziness of unknown origin. Ophthalmic evaluation, including Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), fundus examination and visual field testing, led to diagnosis and timely shunt placement, resulting in marked visual field recovery. This case highlights the educational value of ophthalmologic awareness, the importance of integrating ocular findings into clinical decision-making and into the assessment of chronic unexplained headache. It shows the relevance of prompt start of therapy and potential need for invasive surgery to avoid lifelong damage of the optic nerve and therefore poor visual outcome in a young population.