Impact of Disease-Modifying Therapy on Retinal Thinning in Multiple Sclerosis

Retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and ganglion cell layer (GCL) thinning can be identified by optical coherence tomography. Thinning of the RNFL and GCL is caused by a combination of inflammatory activity and degeneration. Investigators evaluated the impact of RNFL thinning during follow-up of at least 1 year, and typically more than 2 years, in 157 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Data were analyzed starting after the first year of treatment.

The rate of GCL thinning in 47 healthy controls was 0.1 microns/year. GCL thickness decreased 0.2 microns/year with natalizumab, 0.3 microns/year with intramuscular interferon, 0.3 microns/year with glatiramer acetate, and 0.5 microns/year with subcutaneous interferon. RNFL thinning did not vary a…