Comparison of Visual Field Parameters in Early and Advanced Stages of Multiple Sclerosis Patients Without a History...

This study compared the visual field parameters of multiple sclerosis patients without optic neuritis in early versus advanced stage of the disease. Patients were divided into two groups: group 1 (early stage, n = 14) constituted of patients with Expanded Disability Status Scale scores <3 and group 2 (advanced stage, n = 13) constituted of patients with Expanded Disability Status Scale scores ≥3. Mean visual acuities in both groups were similar (p = 0.674). Mean sensitivity, mean defect, loss of variance, reliability factor parameters (Octopus 101 perimeter) of groups 1 and 2 were 24.17 ± 3.62, 21.81 ± 3.04; 4.14 ± 3.05, 6.49 ± 2.58; 21.61 ± 22.17, 33.31 ± 18.67; and 1.57 ± 2.79, 2.59 ± 3.09, respectively. Compared with group 1, mean sensitivity was significantly lower in group 2 (p = 0.013). Mean defect (p = 0.004) and loss of variance (p = 0.042) parameters in group 2 were significantly higher than in group 1. Mean reliability factor was similar between two groups (p = 0.211). Multiple scleorisis may alter visual field parameters without severe loss of visual acuity by possibly involving optic pathways other than optic nerve.