Correlation between retinal and optic nerve microvasculature and sensitivity in patients with multiple sclerosis with and without optic neuritis

Abstract

Objective To correlate the retinal vascular affection (macula and Optic nerve head (ONH)) assessed with OCT-A and retinal sensitivity (macula and peripapillary) measured with microperimetry in patients with multiple sclerosis with and without optic neuritis.Patients and methods A total of 18 patients (18 eyes, six with antecedent attack of optic neuritis and 12 without) and 18 age-matched healthy controls (18 eyes) were included. OCT-A and microperimetry were used to evaluate retinal vasculature and sensitivity in the macular and peripapillary areas, respectively.Results Patients with MS (regardless of the presence of history of symptomatic optic neuritis) had lower vessel density, thickness, and sensitivity than controls. This decrease in the three parameters was correlated to some extent especially in the superior and parafoveal regions.Conclusion OCT-A and microperimetry could be considered as noninvasive tools for early diagnosis of neuroretinal affection in multiple sclerosis and monitoring of disease severity.