The importance of spontaneous venous pulsation in the ocular fundus in intracranial hypertension

Spontaneous pulsation of the central retinal vein was studied in 200 subjects. It was observed in 89.5% of those studied in at least one eye and in 78.5% in both. In 76.5% it was easily discernable (amplitude 2-4/4). No relationship was found between its presence, site, form or amplitude and the age, sex, origin, state of health, blood pressure, pulse pressure or intraocular pressure. Since retinal venous pressure and intracranial pressure have a direct linear relationship, it is concluded that central venous pulsation is undoubtedly of clinical significance. RETINAL VENOUS PRESSURE AND INTRACRANIAL PRESSURE HAVE A DIRECT LINEAR RELATIONSHIP! IT IS CONCLUDED THAT CENTRAL VENOUS PULSATION IS UNDOUBTEDLY OF CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE- When present, and if the intraocular pressure is normal, one may infer that intracranial pressure is also normal. Its absence should be regarded as a potential warning signal of raised intracranial pressure and may justify investigation of this possibility.