The disease can either be self-limited or have a lifelong chronic course.[1]Wall M. Idiopathic intracranial hypertension. Neurol Clin. 2010 Aug;28(3):593-617.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2908600
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20637991?tool=bestpractice.com
[2]Shah VA, Kardon RH, Lee AG, et al. Long-term follow-up of idiopathic intracranial hypertension: the Iowa experience. Neurology. 2008 Feb 19;70(8):634-40.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18285538?tool=bestpractice.com
Visual field
With treatment, about 50% of patients have marked improvement in visual field function.[38]Wall M, George D. Idiopathic intracranial hypertension: a prospective study of 50 patients. Brain. 1991 Feb;114 (pt 1A):155-80.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1998880?tool=bestpractice.com
Some patients may experience adverse events of treatment, leading to a decrease in treatment tolerability and adherence.[103]Xu W, Prime Z, Papchenko T, et al. Long term outcomes of idiopathic intracranial hypertension: observational study and literature review. Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 2021 Jan 5;205:106463.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33962145?tool=bestpractice.com
Treatment failure is associated with high-grade papilloedema, visual acuity loss, and frequent transient visual obscurations.[42]Wall M, Falardeau J, Fletcher WA, et al. Risk factors for poor visual outcome in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension. Neurology. 2015 Sep 1;85(9):799-805.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26245929?tool=bestpractice.com
Although papilloedema usually regresses within months after treatment is initiated, it may remain for years, usually as low-grade papilloedema, with varying effects on vision.[2]Shah VA, Kardon RH, Lee AG, et al. Long-term follow-up of idiopathic intracranial hypertension: the Iowa experience. Neurology. 2008 Feb 19;70(8):634-40.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18285538?tool=bestpractice.com
Pregnancy
Pregnant women with IIH do not have an increased rate of spontaneous abortion.[99]Tang RA, Dorotheo EU, Schiffman JS, et al. Medical and surgical management of idiopathic intracranial hypertension in pregnancy. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2004 Sep;4(5):398-409.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15324607?tool=bestpractice.com