Evaluation of the Relationship between Optical Cohorence Tomography Findings and Visual Acuity and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings in Multiple Sclerosis Patients

Abstract

Abstract Purpose In our study, the relationship between optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and the number of T2 hyperintense lesions in cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was investigated in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Methods A total of 188 eyes, including 118 eyes in the MS group and 70 eyes in the control group, were included in the study. MS group was also divided into two subgroups as those with history of optic neuritis (ON) (34 eyes) and those without history of ON (84 eyes). BCVA, anterior segment and fundus examination findings and OCT images of the cases were analyzed retrospectively. With OCT, total macular volume (TMV), macular retinal nerve fiber layer (mRNFL), ganglion cell layer (GCL), inner plexiform layer (IPL), inner nuclear layer (INL), outer plexiform layer (OPL), and outer nuclear layer (ONL) volumes and peripapiller RNFL thickness were calculated. The relationship between TMV and BCVA and the number of T2 hyperintense lesions on cranial MRI was examined. Results In the MS group, 34 eyes (28.8%) had history of ON. TMV, mRNFL, GCL and IPL volumes were found to be significantly higher in the control group than in the MS subgroups. mRNFL, GCL and IPL volumes were observed to be significantly higher in the MS group without history of ON. It was observed that the ONL volume was higher in MS group with history of ON, and there was a moderate negative correlation between TMV, BCVA and the number of MR lesions in this group. In MS group without history of ON, a high level of negative correlation was found between TMV and the number of MRI lesions. When all MS group were evaluated, it was observed that there was a weak negative correlation between TMV and BCVA, and a high level of negative correlation between the number of MRI lesions. Conclusion The study showed that OCT findings are associated with BCVA and MRI findings in MS patients. The MS patient with low TMV had lower visual acuity and more lesions on MRI.