Abstract
Purpose::
To study the correlation between the RNFL thickness, the total macular volume (TMV) and the EDSS score in patients with multiple sclerosis.
Methods::
Patients with history multiple sclerosis and EDSS (Expanded Disability Status Scale) score between 1 to 7 were consecutively recruited from March to September 2006 for explorations. OCT was performed with Stratus OCT, using the Fast Macular Thickness and the Fast RNFL protocols.
Results::
Eighteen patients were included. There was 13 women and 5 men. Mean age was 46 years Mean duration of multiple sclerosis was 12 years. Mean EDSS score was 4. Seven patients presented history of optic neuritis occurring more than 6 months.In the group without history of optic neuritis (n = 11), there was no difference in RNFL thickness and total macular volume between OD and OS (RNFL = 90.6µm versus 91.1µm, TMV = 6.03mm3). There was a strong correlation 1) between RNFL thickness and the EDSS score (r = 0.89) 2) between total macular volume and EDSS score (r = 0.72)In the group with history of optic neuritis (n = 7), the RNFL thickness was reduced by 21% and the total macular volume was reduced by 12% in eyes with optic neuritis compared to non affected eyes. The correlation between the RNFL thickness and the EDSS score is better in non affected eyes (r = 0.23) than eyes with optic neuritis (r = 0.09)
Conclusions::
These results suggest that OCT is useful to quantify not only the acute axonal loss after an episode of optic neuritis, but also the chronic axonal loss in the evolution of multiple sclerosis.
Keywords: imaging methods (CT, FA, ICG, MRI, OCT, RTA, SLO, ultrasound) • neuro-ophthalmology: optic nerve • nerve fiber layer