Choroidal structure differs between multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: An enhanced depth...

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Neuroscience
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) are distinct neuroinflammatory diseases.
• Choroidal structure alterations may occur in these conditions, particularly after optic neuritis (ON) attacks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare choroidal structure differences between MS and NMOSD patients using enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT).
• To assess the impact of optic neuritis (ON) history on choroidal parameters in MS and NMOSD patients.

Main Methods:

• A prospective case-control study involving MS patients, NMOSD patients, and healthy controls.
• EDI-OCT imaging was used to evaluate choroidal thickness (CT), total choroidal area (TCA), luminal area (LA), stromal area (SA), and choroidal vascularity index (CVI).

Main Results:

• NMOSD patients had significantly thinner CT, TCA, and LA compared to MS patients, irrespective of ON history (p<0.05).
• No significant difference in choroidal vascularity index (CVI) was observed between MS and NMOSD patients, with or without ON.
• While MS patients showed a trend towards larger choroidal parameters and NMOSD patients towards smaller ones compared to controls after ON attacks, these differences were not statistically significant.

Conclusions:

• NMOSD patients may exhibit reduced ocular vascular perfusion compared to MS patients, independent of ON attack history.
• Observed differences may be influenced by baseline factors like age, necessitating further investigation.
• Additional research is required to confirm the observed trends in choroidal structure differences between MS and NMOSD.