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OCT facilitates diagnosis, treatment of MS-associated eye disease
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PHILADELPHIA — Optical coherence tomography is gaining acceptance in the analysis of axonal loss associated with multiple sclerosis, a speaker said here.
 Robert C. Sergott |
Neuro-ophthalmology is playing a larger role in MS research and clinical care, Robert C. Sergott, MD, said at the Wills Eye Institute Alumni Conference.
Researchers are using OCT as a primary or secondary outcome in four ongoing clinical trials to look at medications to preserve axonal thickness and, possibly, retinal thickness.
"We're trying to apply this technology to longitudinal studies," Dr. Sergott said. "How can we use this to help gauge therapeutic influence and develop new medications? Ophthalmology has already had a major role in this and will have an even greater role."
OCT may be used to evaluate the optic nerve and peripapillary area. Magnetic resonance imaging does not allow evaluation of axonal loss, Dr. Sergott said.
"This is the only place in the central nervous system where [OCT] can directly assess the axons," he said.
Axonal loss correlates with disability after attacks of optic neuritis.
"If this axonal loss occurs early in the disease, we want to treat when this axonal loss starts, not wait until there is disability," Dr. Sergott said. "You want to stay ahead of this disease."