Retinal ganglion cell loss is associated with future disability worsening in early relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

Background And Purpose: Thinning of the retinal combined ganglion cell and inner plexiform layer (GCIP) as measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a common finding in patients with multiple sclerosis. This study aimed to investigate whether a single retinal OCT analysis allows prediction of future disease activity after a first demyelinating event.

Methods: This observational cohort study included 201 patients with recently diagnosed clinically isolated syndrome or relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis from two German tertiary referral centers.