The Effect of Multiple Sclerosis on Nerve Fiber Layer of the Retina

Abstract

SUMMARY & CONCLUSION M ultiple Sclerosis (MS) is characterized by dual pathological process of inflammation and neurodegeneration. It causes prominent retinal neural ganglion cell layer loss in addition to related axonal loss which can be identified by thinning of RNFL seen in OCT. There is strong correlation between reduced thickness of RNFL and level of disability. Also found that, in MS patients with non ocular disease activity, particularly the early periods of disease course, accelerated thinning of ganglion cell / inner plexiform layer (GCIP) was exhibited. Structural abnormalities correlate well with functional assessments of the optic nerve. Lower visual function scores are associated with reduced average overall RNFL thickness.