Correlation between structural and functional status of optic nerve and retina in multiple sclerosis
Reviewed by Claire Howard

Multiple sclerosis (MS) involves autoimmune inflammatory demyelination and axonal degeneration in the central nervous system. Investigation of the retina and optic nerve head (ONH) is an ideal way to visualise this demyelination. This study investigates the functional and structural properties of the optic nerve and retina in patients with mildly disabling MS. A total of 134 eyes were investigated with the eyes of MS patients (some with history of optic neuritis and some without) being compared to a control group. The study also looked at correlation between the structural and functional parameters of the patients’ eyes. Results showed that MS eyes with a previous history of optic neuritis have significant loss of retinal nerve fibre layer thickness compared with healthy controls and unaffected eyes in MS patients. Overall, the structural and functional parameters were worse in MS eyes with a history of optic neuritis compared with non-optic neuritis and control eyes. Also, those with MS eyes (non-optic neuritis) were worse than healthy controls. This study is limited by small numbers as well as inclusion of only mild disability caused by MS.

Relationship between structural and functional assessment of the visual system in mildly disabled relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients.
Huseyinoglu N, Ekinci M, Ozben S, Buyukuysal C.
NEURO-OPHTHALMOLOGY
2014;38(1):1-7.