Alterations in the retinal vasculature occur in multiple sclerosis and exhibit novel correlations with disability and visual function measures.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The retinal vasculature may be altered in multiple sclerosis (MS), potentially acting as a biomarker of disease processes.

Objective

To compare retinal vascular plexus densities in people with MS (PwMS) and healthy controls (HCs), and examine correlations with visual function and global disability.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, 111 PwMS (201 eyes) and 50 HCs (97 eyes) underwent optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Macular superficial vascular plexus (SVP) and deep vascular plexus (DVP) densities were quantified, and poor quality images were excluded according to an artifact-rating protocol.

Results

Mean SVP density was 24.1% (SD = 5.5) in MS eyes (26.0% (SD = 4.7) in non-optic neuritis (ON) eyes vs. 21.7% (SD = 5.5) in ON eyes, <

SUBMITTER: Murphy OC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6858526 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature