Dynamics of structural and microcirculatory changes in the retina and optic nerve in patients with multiple sclerosis

Purpose of the study: to assess the one-year dynamics of structural and microcirculatory changes in the retina and optic nerve head in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) depending on the disease course and to determine their relationship with clinical and neurological characteristics.

Materials and methods. The study included 33 patients (66 eyes) with MS: group 1 — 13 patients (26 eyes) with relapsingremitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), group 2 — 9 patients (18 eyes) with disease progression during the follow-up period, group 3 — 11 patients (22 eyes) with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS). All patients underwent OCT and OCT angiography at two time points with an interval of 12 ± 2 months. The following parameters were assessed: average ganglion cells layer + inner plexiform layer thickness (avGCL + IPL), average retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (avRNFL), their sectoral values, and vascular density of the optic nerve head (VD ONH).

Results. A decrease in avGCL + IPL was detected in all groups, while the pattern of sectoral changes depended on the type of disease course. A significant decrease in avRNFL was found only in the RRMS ® SPMS group. A tendency toward a decrease in VD ONH was observed in all groups; however, a statistically significant reduction was detected only in patients with SPMS. The most pronounced correlations were found between VD ONH and GCL + IPL parameters, whereas the relationships of EDSS and SDMT with ophthalmic parameters were less consistent.

Conclusions. The most consistent changes in patients with MS over 1 year were detected in GCL + IPL parameters. VD ONH may be considered as an additional marker of disease progression when interpreted together with structural parameters.

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