Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness and spatial and temporal contrast sensitivity in multiple sclerosis.

Purpose: To measure peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness and spatial and temporal contrast sensitivity in multiple sclerosis (MS) taking into account previous history of optic neuropathy (ON).
Methods: Thirty patients (60 eyes) with relapsing-remitting MS were selected (MS group). The MS ON group was composed of 31 eyes with previous history of optic neuropathy and the MS non-ON group of 29 eyes was without previous history of optic neuropathy. Thickness of the RNFL was measured with optical coherence tomography (OCT) with the Stratus OCT. As for sensitivity to spatial contrast,we used Pelli-Robson and Sloan charts. Sensitivity to temporal contrast was explored using frequency doubling technology perimetry (FDTP).
Results: The average thickness of RNFL in the MS, MS ON, MS non-ON, and control groups were 88.2 +/= 18.9 microm, 80.81 +/- 18.4 microm, 96.7 +/- 15.8 microm, and 106 +/- 12.2 microm, respectively. The spatial contrast vision and FDTP results were less in the MS non-ON group than in the control group. The average thickness of RNFL correlated to the scores of spatial and temporal contrast vision.
Conclusions: MS is accompanied by visual function alteration even in the absence of acute optic neuropathy. The important correlation between functional and anatomic aspect confirms the value of OCT to appreciate the subclinical involvement of the optic nerve. Associated with tests exploring visual function, the OCT could reveal itself pertinent in evaluation of the different therapeutics used in MS ON.