Can sinusitis be a cause of swollen optic nerves in both eyes? scheduled for an mri but very nervous hoping its not a brain tumor. thanks!

Possible: Ethmoid, , spenoid , frontal are near optic vicinity if infected may rarerly , i have never seen pituitary tomr might give swelling mti good idea.. See an eye m.D asap.

Highly unlikely: In rare cases, very severe sinusitis could affect the blood supply or blood drainage of the optic nerves. However, a person with this problem would likely have other symptoms as well, such as severe headache, other cranial nerve palsies or frank meningitis.

Rare, if ever: Your sinusitis would have to be so severe that it caused an infection affecting base of brain into optic chiasm, and doubt you would be even conscious. In other words, your problem is not sinusitis, and may be increased intracranial pressure, or retro-orbital disease process. A variety of hydrocephalus mechanisms may be playing a role. Get the imaging study and get treated in addition.

See below: It is doubtful that your sinusitis is severe enough to cause optic nerve problems that you are still able to type away a question. In such case you would be very sick and probably is already hospitalized. Hopefully the MRI test would be helpful. Please follow through with it.