Macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer defect patterns in multiple sclerosis patients without optic neuritis: A Spectral-Domain-Optical Coherence Tomography Cross-Sectional, Case-Control, Pilot Study

Purpose Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) was used to evaluate, in patients with multiple sclerosis without a history of optic neuritis (MSNON), the proportion of the different macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer complex (mGCIP) defect patterns. The results were compared with those of healthy controls (HCs). Methods In this cross-sectional case-control study, 34 eyes of 34 individuals, 17 with MSNON and 17 HCs, were evaluated. All participants underwent mGCIP thickness measurement using SD-OCT (Zeiss Cirrus HD-OCT 4000, macular cube protocol). The mGCIP defect patterns were classified in nine types (minimal, inner, outer, diffuse mild, diffuse severe inferior confined, inferior dominant, superior confined, and superior dominant), according to the shape derived by the deviation map of the instrument, and the proportion of each type was assessed. Results A mGCIP defect pattern was detected in 70.5% of MSNON eyes, with an inner type as the most frequent pattern (47%), followed by the outer type (11.7%) and the inferior confined type (11.7%). No defect was found in Hcs. Conclusions A significant thinning of the mGCIP with the frequent presence of an inner defect was seen in MSNON patients. The presence of this defect may serve as a biomarker of subclinical optic nerve involvement in MS patients.