Assessment of Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis using Optical Coherence Tomography

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune illness that primarily affects the central nervous system (CNS), damaging the myelin sheath, the cells known as oligodendrocytes, and nerve fibers. It is classified as a central nervous system (CNS) inflammatory and neurodegenerative illness. Aim and objectives: To evaluate and contrast the thickness of the retinal nerve fiber layer in individuals diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Compared to individuals without health issues. Evaluating color vision to assess visual impairment in persons with MS. Patients and methods: This cross-sectional study comprises 80 eyes from 40 individuals. They are divided into groups A (Control) and B (MS sufferers). Every patient underwent a comprehensive ophthalmological examination, including assessing the layer of retinal nerve fibers (RNFL) and color vision using OCT. The collected data were then analyzed for correlations. Results: Decreased global RNFL thickness (G) in group B (90.1±9.9) when compared with group A (104.4±4.7), with statistically significant (p-value<0.001) also decreased nasal RNFL thickness (N) in group B (66.4±10.3) when compared with group A (81.8±7.9), with statistically significantly (p-value<0.001) also decreased temporal RNFL thickness (T) in group B (59.2±11) when compared with group A (73.1±6.7), with statistically significantly (p-value<0.001). Conclusion: The primary parameters that can be utilized for early identification and monitoring of MS's impact on the retina and the visual pathway are color vision and OCT parameters for RNFL's various sectors.