Correlation between functional and structural assessments of the optic nerve and retina in multiple sclerosis patients.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between functional eye examinations (visual evoked potentials: VEPs; pattern electroretinogram: PERG) and structural measurements of the optic nerve (optical coherence tomography: OCT; scanning laser polarimetry: GDx) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods: Patients with definite MS and disease-free controls were enrolled in the study. VEPs and PERG were recorded in all subjetcs. Ophthalmologic examination, including visual acuity, visual field determination, OCT and GDx were performed.

Results: Nineteen MS patients and 19 age- and sex-matched controls were included in the study. Significant differences between both groups were observed with respect to VEP (P100 latency and amplitude), PERG (N95 amplitude and N95/P50 ratio) and OCT parameters (average, temporal and macular volume). There were a statistically significant correlation between VEP or PERG parameters and OCT or GDx results.

Conclusions: In MS patients, axonal loss in ganglion cells can be detected with OCT and GDx. PERG is a useful complementary tool to identify this damage.