Eye examinations could hold the key to faster MS diagnosis, a new study suggests.
Researchers from the Medical University of Vienna evaluated 167 multiple sclerosis patients over the course of more than three years.
They proposed that the severity of brain damage is reflected in the retinal damage brought on by relapse.
The study found that a loss of roughly five micrometers in retinal layer thickness following optic neuritis results in a doubling of the risk of developing a permanent disability after the subsequent relapse.
This could be used as the basis for treatment decisions in the future.
Multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is a condition that can affect the brain and spinal cord, causing a wide range of potential symptoms, including problems with vision, arm or leg movement, balance or sensation.
In many cases, it is possible to treat symptoms but the average life expectancy is slightly reduced for people with multiple sclerosis.
The condition is most commonly diagnosed in people in their 20s, 30s and 40s and it is one of the most common causes of disability in younger adults.
In multiple sclerosis, the immune system attacks the layer that surrounds and protects the nerves called the myelin sheath. This damages and scares the sheath, and potentially the underlying nerves, meaning that messages travelling along the nerves become slowed or disrupted.
Retina – the light converter of the body
The retina is a thin layer of tissue that lines at the back of the eye and that is located near the optic nerve.
The retina converts light that enters in the eye into electrical signals the optic nerve sends to the brain which creates the images we see.
The retina contains millions of light-sensitive cells and other nerve cells that receive and organise visual information.
A retinal test takes a digital picture of the back of the eye, showing the retina, the optic disk and blood vessels.
