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Retinal layer segmentation in patients with multiple sclerosis using spectral domain optical coherence tomography
Elena Garcia-Martin1, Vicente Polo1, Jose M Larrosa1
1Ophthalmology Department, Miguel Servet University Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain; Aragones Institute of Health Sciences, Zaragoza, Spain.
Ophthalmology
|November 26, 2013
Summary
Spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) reveals retinal layer thinning in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, particularly in inner retinal layers. This atrophy, especially in the ganglion cell layer, predicts axonal damage in MS.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neuroscience
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the central nervous system.
- Retinal neurodegeneration is increasingly recognized as a potential biomarker for MS progression and disability.
- Optical coherence tomography (OCT) allows for in vivo imaging of retinal layer thickness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate and compare the thickness of 10 retinal layers in the paramacular area of patients with MS versus healthy subjects.
- To identify which retinal layer is most sensitive in detecting neurodegeneration associated with MS.
- To assess the impact of previous optic neuritis on retinal layer thickness in MS patients.
Main Methods:
- An observational, cross-sectional study involving 204 patients with MS and 138 healthy controls.
- Spectralis OCT system with new segmentation technology was used for automated segmentation of retinal layers.
- Mean thickness of 10 retinal layers in the parafoveal area was calculated and compared between groups.
Main Results:
- Patients with MS exhibited thinner retinal layers compared to healthy subjects (P < 0.05), excluding the inner limiting membrane.
- Inner retinal layers (nerve fiber, ganglion cell, inner plexiform, inner nuclear) showed greater thinning in MS eyes with prior optic neuritis (P < 0.05).
- Retinal nerve fiber layer and ganglion cell layer thickness correlated inversely with functional disability; ganglion cell and inner plexiform layers predicted axonal damage.
Conclusions:
- Automated OCT segmentation technology reveals significant retinal layer atrophy in MS patients, predominantly affecting inner retinal layers.
- Reduced thickness of the ganglion cell layer and inner plexiform layer are predictive of greater axonal damage in multiple sclerosis.
- This study highlights the potential of OCT-based retinal layer analysis for monitoring neurodegeneration in MS.
