OCT and Visual Field Changes as Useful Markers for Follow-up of Axonal Loss in Multiple Sclerosis in Egyptian Patients

ABSTRACT

Purpose: The aim of this work was to correlate optical coherence tomography (OCT) parameters, retinal sensitivity (perimetry) and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) with disease duration and neurologic functional disability in Egyptian patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods: This is a cross-sectional observational cohort study in which 68 MS patients and 23 healthy controls had full neurologic examination, including expanded disability status scale (EDSS) and full ophthalmologic examination, including functional and structural assessments of the optic nerve through BCVA, visual field examination (SITA), and OCT (Optovue).

Results: Retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness was significantly decreased in MS eyes. MS eyes had significantly decreased GCC. RNFL thickness was significantly negatively correlated to EDSS and disease duration. GCC was significantly negatively correlated to disease duration. BCVA and retinal sensitivity (MD) were significantly correlated to the MS duration.

Conclusions: OCT is a promising tool to detect subclinical changes in RNFL and GCC in Egyptian patients with MS.

Keywords:

• Expanded disability status scale (EDSS)
• ganglion cell complex (GCC)
• multiple sclerosis
• optical coherence tomography (OCT)
• perimetry
• retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL)