Oct-A and Perimetry in Multiple Sclerosis

This study aims to assess retinal vascular density using OCT-A and correlate these parameters with visual field changes in MS patients with and without a history of ON

The aim of this work is to investigate the correlation between visual field parameters and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) findings in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). MS is a chronic autoimmune demyelinating disease that frequently involves the visual pathway, often presenting with optic neuritis (ON) and subsequent neurodegeneration. OCT-A, a non-invasive imaging modality, enables detailed visualization and quantification of retinal microvasculature, particularly the superficial and deep capillary plexuses, which supply the retinal ganglion cells and nerve fiber layers. Previous studies have demonstrated reduced retinal vessel density and thinning of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and ganglion cell complex (GCC) in MS patients, reflecting neuro-axonal damage and microvascular impairment. However, the relationship between these structural and vascular changes and functional visual outcomes, such as visual field loss, remains to be fully elucidated. This study aims to assess retinal vascular density using OCT-A and correlate these parameters with visual field indices in MS patients with and without a history of ON. By analyzing inter-eye differences and comparing with MS patients, the research seeks to clarify whether OCT-A metrics can serve as reliable biomarkers for visual dysfunction and disease progression in MS. Understanding this correlation could improve early detection of neuroretinal damage, guide monitoring of disease activity, and potentially inform therapeutic strategies.