Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography-Derived Peripapillary Vessel Density Findings in Multiple Sclerosis

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Neurology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Multiple sclerosis (MS)-related optic neuritis (ON) causes peripapillary nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) thinning, often affecting the temporal quadrant.
• Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) visualizes retinal vasculature, offering insights into MS-related vascular changes.
• Previous research indicates reduced peripapillary vessel density (VD) in MS, but quadrant-specific patterns are less understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the pattern of peripapillary vessel density (VD) reduction in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) using OCTA.
• To determine if VD loss in the peripapillary region follows a specific quadrant pattern in MS patients.

Main Methods:

• Optic disc OCTA scans were performed on people with MS (PwMS) and healthy controls (HC).
• Peripapillary vessel density (VD) was calculated for the overall region and individual quadrants.
• Eyes with recent ON (within six months) were excluded from the analysis.

Main Results:

• Peripapillary VD was lower in MS eyes with ON compared to HC, with the most significant reduction in the temporal quadrant.
• MS eyes without recent ON showed significantly lower VD only in the temporal quadrant compared to HC.
• Strong correlations were found between OCT and OCTA metrics in corresponding retinal regions.

Conclusions:

• Retinal vascular alterations in MS, particularly after optic neuritis, may predominantly affect the temporal quadrant.
• Further research with larger cohorts is necessary to fully understand the patterns and progression of peripapillary vascular damage in MS.