Posters

Multiple sclerosis and optic nerve: an analysis of retinal nerve fiber layer thickness and color doppler imaging parameters

Poster Details

First Author: H.Akçam TURKEY

Co Author(s):    I. Yildirim Capraz   Z. Aktas   H. Batur Caglayan   S. Ozhan Oktar   E. Karaca   C. Irkec

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To compare both retinal nerve fiber layer thickness and orbital color doppler ultrasonography parameters in patients with multiple sclerosis versus healthy subjects

Setting:

Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey

Methods:

This is an observational case-control study. Forty multiple sclerosis patients and twenty healthy controls were examined. Subjects were classified into three groups as multiple sclerosis with optic neuritis (Group 1, n=20), multiple sclerosis without optic neuritis (Group 2, n=20) and healthy volunteers (Group 3, n=20). Following complete ophthalmologic examination and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness measurement for each group, blood flow velocities of posterior ciliary arteries, central retinal artery, ophthalmic artery and superior ophthalmic vein were measured. Pourcelot Index(resistive index), an indicator of peripheral vascular resistance, was also calculated.

Results:

Studied groups exposed similar values in terms of intraocular pressure and central corneal thickness implying no evidence in favor of glaucoma. All nerve fiber layer thickness values, except superior nasal quadrants, in Group 1 were found to be significantly thinner than Group 2 and 3. Blood flow velocity and mean resistivity index parameters were similar in all of the groups.

Conclusions:

In multiple sclerosis patients, even if no past optic neuritis monitored, diminished RNFL thickness may be observed. Contrary with several studies in opthalmologic literature, no evidence in favor of potential vascular origin of ocular involvement in MS was found in our study. FINANCIAL INTEREST: NONE