We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all diabetic patients with benign, transient disc swelling who were evaluated at our institution from 1992 to 1996. The clinical profile of diabetic papillopathy can be expanded to include people who are older or have type II diabetes and that affected eyes commonly have retinal vascular changes and macular edema that can adversely affect the visual outcome. Last, a small physiologic cup may represent an anatomic predisposition to the condition.