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Changes in the retinal veins in acute optic neuritis
T Engell1, F Sellebjerg, C Jensen
1Department of Ophthalmology, Sønderborg Hospital, Denmark.
Acta Neurologica Scandinavica
|August 12, 1999
Summary
Retinal vein changes in acute optic neuritis (ON) may indicate multiple sclerosis (MS). This study found that optic neuritis often signals MS, and venous sheathing suggests prior silent retinal activity.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-ophthalmology
- Neurology
Background:
- Acute optic neuritis (ON) is a common neurological condition.
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) frequently presents with ON as an initial symptom.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate acute optic neuritis patients for retinal vein changes.
- To determine the association between retinal vein changes and multiple sclerosis.
Main Methods:
- Neuro-ophthalmological examination of 76 patients with acute ON.
- Assessment for signs of periphlebitis retinae (PR) and venous sheathing (VS).
Main Results:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) was diagnosed in 41 patients.
- Periphlebitis retinae (PR) and venous sheathing (VS) were observed in a small subset of MS patients.
- Mono-symptomatic ON without retinal changes occurred in 20 patients.
Conclusions:
- Retinal vein changes, such as venous sheathing (VS), can be an early indicator of probable multiple sclerosis (MS).
- Optic neuritis (ON) is a frequent initial manifestation of MS.
- The presence of VS suggests that subclinical retinal disease activity may precede ON in MS patients.