The role of corneal confocal microscopy in multiple sclerosis

Session Details

Session Title: Moderated Poster Session: Miscellaneous
Session Date/Time: Saturday 10/02/2018 | 14:00-15:00
Paper Time: 14:24
Venue: Poster Area


First Author: P.Mellace ITALY
Co Author(s): S. Fazio  F. Martino  E. Polito           

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To analyze the effect of Multiple Sclerosis on corneal nerve fibers in the subbasal nerve plexus using in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM).

Setting:

Ophthalmology Unit, Department of Medical, Surgical and Neurosciences. Siena University, Italy

Methods:

In this prospective study the corneal nerve fiber density was measured in 24 MS patients (mean age ± SD [years]: 42.5 ± 16.3), and 25 healthy controls (HC) (41.7 ± 15.4), using a Heidelberg Retinal Tomograph with Rostock Cornea Module. Cirrus optical coherence tomography (OCT) was carried out in each patient.

Results:

A significant reduction in corneal nerve fiber density was observed in MS patients (14348.3 ± 1672.72 µm/mm^2) compared to controls (17850.26 ± 1874.9 µm/mm^2). Total corneal nerve fiber density had been high correlation with temporal peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) and macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) thickness.

Conclusions:

Corneal nerve fiber density may be considered as a potential surrogate marker for disease diagnosis, severity and progression in MS and should be further investigated.

Financial Disclosure:

None