Correlation between functional and structural assessments of the optic nerve and retina in multiple sclerosis patients.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between functional eye examinations (visual evoked potentials: VEPs; pattern electroretinogram: PERG) and structural measurements of the optic nerve (optical coherence tomography: OCT; scanning laser polarimetry: GDx) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

METHODS

Patients with definite MS and disease-free controls were enrolled in the study. VEPs and PERG were recorded in all subjetcs. Ophthalmologic examination, including visual acuity, visual field determination, OCT and GDx were performed.

RESULTS

Nineteen MS patients and 19 age- and sex-matched controls were included in the study. Significant differences between both groups were observed with respect to VEP (P100 latency and amplitude), PERG (N95 amplitude and N95/P50 ratio) and OCT parameters (average, temporal and macular volume). There were a statistically significant correlation between VEP or PERG parameters and OCT or GDx results.

CONCLUSIONS

In MS patients, axonal loss in ganglion cells can be detected with OCT and GDx. PERG is a useful complementary tool to identify this damage.