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Relation of visual function to retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in multiple sclerosis.
Jennifer B Fisher1, Dina A Jacobs, Clyde E Markowitz
1Division of Neuro-ophthalmology, Departments of Neurology, Ophthalmology, and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Scheie Eye Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Ophthalmology
|January 13, 2006
Summary
Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients show reduced retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, correlating with visual function deficits. This highlights RNFL thickness as a biomarker for axonal loss in MS.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neuroscience
- Clinical Research
Background:
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease affecting the central nervous system.
- Axonal loss is a key factor in MS-related visual dysfunction.
- Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer (RNFL) thickness serves as a potential structural biomarker for axonal damage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between visual function and RNFL thickness in MS patients.
- To compare RNFL thickness across MS eyes with and without a history of optic neuritis (ON) versus disease-free controls.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 90 MS patients and 36 controls.
- Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer (RNFL) thickness measured using Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT).
- Visual function assessed via low-contrast letter acuity and contrast sensitivity tests.
Main Results:
- MS patients exhibited significantly reduced RNFL thickness compared to controls (92 µm vs. 105 µm).
- Eyes with a history of acute optic neuritis (MS ON) showed the greatest RNFL reduction (85 µm).
- Lower visual function scores correlated with decreased RNFL thickness in MS eyes.
Conclusions:
- Low-contrast letter acuity and contrast sensitivity are valid secondary outcome measures for MS clinical trials.
- Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) can play a role in evaluating neuroprotective therapies for MS.
- Reduced RNFL thickness in MS non-ON eyes suggests chronic axonal loss independent of acute optic neuritis.