Background/Aims: Retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thinning has been observed on histopathology and time-domain optical coherence tomography in many diseases of the central nervous system. In this study, with a higher resolution of spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SDOCT), we detected RNFL changes in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) in China, and compared RNFL thickness between eyes with and without optic neuritis (ON). Methods: In this retrospective, nonrandom case study, the patients were recruited from the Affiliated Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital of Zhejiang University. RNFL thickness was measured for each eye using SDOCT. The controls were recruited from the healthy population. Results: Peripapillary RNFL thickness of 24 eyes in 12 patients was detected by SDOCT. The average RNFL thickness of the MS patients was 81.9 ± 17.8 µm compared to the control value of 102.1 ± 8.1 µm (p = 0.00). The average RNFL of the patients with a history of ON was thinner than that of patients without ON (71.8 ± 19.2 µm vs. 92.0 ± 8.5 µm, p = 0.001). Conclusion: The RNFL thinning in Chinese patients with MS can be detected by SDOCT. The SDOCT scan represents a high-resolution, objective, noninvasive and easily quantifiable in vivo biomarker of MS.

Objective To evaluate changes in retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and macular thicknesses, included ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) thickness, in patients with spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH). Methods This was a retrospective, nonrandom, observational case series study. Comprehensive ophthalmic examinations and systemic examinations were performed. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography angiography scanning was used to measure peripapillary RNFL thickness and macular volume. Results In total, 108 eyes in 54 patients with SIH were evaluated; these were compared with 108 eyes in 54 healthy controls. The mean ages were 38.2 ± 9.4 years (patients with SIH) and 38.9 ± 9.4 years (healthy controls). In both groups, 33 patients were women (61.1%). The peripapillary RNFL and GCIPL were thinner in patients with SIH than in healthy controls (100.08 ± 9.94 µm vs 104.83 ± 8.35 µm and 81.46 ± 5.67 µm vs 85.67 ± 4.57 µm, respectively). Among patients with SIH, the GCIPL was thinner in patients with visual field defects (79.81 ± 5.62 µm vs 82.39 ± 5.12 µm). Conclusions The RNFL and GCIPL were thinner in patients with SIH than in healthy controls. The GCIPL was thinner in eyes with visual field defects among patients with SIH.