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Updated: Jan 27, 2026
Culturing of Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells on an Ex Vivo Model of Aged Human Bruch's Membrane
Published on: April 12, 2018
Macular Ganglion Cell and Inner Plexiform Layer Thickness Is More Strongly Associated With Visual Function in
James Nguyen1, Alissa Rothman, Natalia Gonzalez
1Department of Neurology (JN, AR, NG, AA, EO, PAC, and SS), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; Departments of Neurology (LJB and SLG), Population Health (LJB and SLG), and Ophthalmology (LJB and SLG), New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York; Departments of Neurology (EMF and TF) and Ophthalmology (EMF and TF), Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas; and Department of Biostatistics (CC), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland.
Background:
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) measurements of ganglion cell + inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) thicknesses are associated with visual function (VF) and disability in multiple sclerosis (MS). However, the value of measuring Bruch membrane opening-minimum rim width (BMO-MRW) thickness in MS remains unclear.
Methods:
Sixty-eight patients with MS and 22 healthy controls (HCs) underwent spectral domain OCT, 100%-contrast visual acuity (VA), 2.5%- and 1.25%-contrast letter acuity (LA), and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) testing. Mixed-effects linear regression models, accounting for within-subject, intereye correlations, were used to assess relationships.
Results:
The MS cohort exhibited significantly lower BMO-MRW (P = 0.01), pRNFL at 3.7-, 4.1-, and 4.7-mm diameters surrounding the optic disc (P < 0.001 for all), and GCIPL (P < 0.001) thicknesses than HCs. BMO-MRW thickness was associated with 100%-VA (P < 0.001, R = 0.08), 2.5%-LA (P < 0.001; R = 0.13), and 1.25%-LA (P = 0.002; R = 0.11). All measured pRNFL thicknesses were associated with high- and low-contrast VF (all: P < 0.001). GCIPL thickness was more strongly associated with 100%-VA (P < 0.001; R = 0.23), 2.5%-LA (P < 0.001; R = 0.27), and 1.25%-LA (P < 0.001; R = 0.21) than the other OCT measures assessed. All OCT measures were significantly, but weakly, associated with EDSS scores.
Conclusions:
BMO-MRW and pRNFL thicknesses are reduced and associated with VF and disability in MS, but GCIPL thickness is a stronger marker of visual impairment. Our findings corroborate the utility of OCT in providing valuable information regarding the MS disease process.
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