Temporal and spatial resolution in foveal vision of multiple sclerosis patients

Deficits of spatial and temporal resolution were compared in a group of 49 definite multiple sclerosis(MS) patients showing no major evidence of previous optic neuritis attack but representative of the population of the Belgian National MS Centre as to age and the most important disease variables. Resolution in the two domains was measured foveally with forced-choice staircase psychophysical procedures using Landoldt C and double flash stimuli, respectively. The two measurements were equally sensitive to MS-induced deficits and did not exhibit cross-sensitivity. Since discrete deficits of either kind were equally prevalent and outnumbered combined deficits, this suggests a nonselective but nonuniform destruction of M and P visual pathway function in these patients.