Effect of optic neuritis on progressive axonal damage in multiple sclerosis patients

Garcia-Martin, E ; Pueyo, V (Universidad de Zaragoza) ; Ara, JR ; Almarcegui, C ; Martin, J ; Pablo, L ; Dolz, I ; Sancho, E ; Fernandez, FJ

Resumen: Objective:
The objective of this research was to study the effect of optic neuritis (ON) on axonal damage in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Specifically, we compared changes over 2 years in the retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) between affected and contralateral eyes in MS patients with a prior history of ON.
Methods:
Thirty-four patients with one unilateral definitive episode of ON were included and underwent a complete ophthalmic examination, optical coherence tomography (OCT), scanning laser polarimetry, visual evoked potentials (VEP) and pattern electroretinogram (pERG). All patients were re-evaluated at 12 and 24 months. Parameters were compared between ON-affected and contralateral eyes in an initial exploration and over the course of the follow-up. Correlations between parameter changes were analysed.
Results:
RNFL thickness and functional parameters showed more affection in ON eyes (p ≤ 0.05), but changes in measurements during the study were similar between both groups of eyes.
Conclusions:
Progressive axonal loss can be detected in the optic nerve, but ON is not a risk factor for increased chronic damage in MS patients without ophthalmic relapses. Loss of the RNFL is caused by progressive degeneration associated with the disease.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.1177/1352458510397414

Año: 2011

Publicado en: MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS 17, 7 (2011), 830-837
ISSN: 1352-4585

Factor impacto JCR: 4.255 (2011)

Categ. JCR: CLINICAL NEUROLOGY rank: 27 / 192 = 0.141 (2011) - Q1 - T1

Tipo y forma: Artículo (Versión definitiva)

Área (Departamento): Área Oftalmología (Dpto. Cirugía,Ginecol.Obstetr.)