Analysis of retinal nerve fiber layer, visual evoked potentials and relative afferent pupillary defect in multiple sclerosis patients: STUDY

Abstract

Objective:
Analysis of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), pattern-reversal visual evoked potentials (pVEPs) and relative afferent pupillary defect (RAPD) changes in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with the consideration of past optic neuritis (ON).

Methods:
Ophthalmological, neurological, OCT, RNFL, and pVEP studies were conducted in 59 MS patients; in 47 of them RAPD tests were performed. Control group consisted of 28 healthy volunteers.

Results:
Abnormal RNFL was found in 59% of cases of eyes with ON and in 28% without ON. In eyes with ON, significantly lower RNFL values were indicated in the temporal and lower quadrants. Elongation of pVEP latency was found in 83% of eyes with ON and in 60% of eyes without ON. The average value of pVEP latency was longer and the amplitude was lower in the sub-group of eyes with RNFL at the borderline or below the norm. RAPD was observed only in eyes with ON and with RNFL thinning. No dependence was found between the RAPD and pVEP parameters.

Conclusions:
VEPs were more frequently abnormal than RNFL in MS patients. RNFL damage in eyes without ON may indicate neurodegenerations in CNS in MS patients, it can also be the consequence of subclinical ON.

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