Optical Coherence Tomography in the Differential Diagnosis of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis and Patients with MRI Nonspecific White Matter Lesions.

In the differential diagnosis of nonspecific white matter lesions (NSWMLs) detected on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), multiple sclerosis (MS) should be taken into consideration. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a promising tool applied in the differential diagnostic process of MS. We tested whether OCT may be useful in distinguishing between MS and NSWMLs patients. In patients with MS (n = 41) and NSWMLs (n = 19), the following OCT parameters were measured: thickness of the peripapillary Retinal Nerve Fibre Layer (pRNFL) in superior, inferior, nasal, and temporal segments; thickness of the ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL); thickness of macular RNFL (mRNFL); and macular volume (MV). In MS patients, GCIPL was significantly lower than in NSWMLs patients (p = 0.024). Additionally, in MS patients, mRNFL was significantly lower than in NSWMLs patients (p = 0.030). The average segmental pRNFL and MV did not differ between MS and NSWMLs patients (p > 0.05). GCIPL and macular RNFL thinning significantly influenced the risk of MS (18.6% [95% CI 2.7%, 25.3%]; 27.4% [95% CI 4.5%, 62.3%]), and reduced GCIPL thickness appeared to be the best predictor of MS. We conclude that OCT may be helpful in the differential diagnosis of MS and NSWMLs patients in real-world settings.

Contrast sensitivity assessment in primary open angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension.

INTRODUCTION: Contrast sensitivity assessment is an important additional examination, which enables the full insight into the patient's quality of vision, and early diagnosis of visual disturbances. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty six patients (92 eyes) with primary open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension were enrolled in the study. The enrolment criteria were full or almost full visual acuity and the patients with visual field defects or any other ocular disease were excluded. Contrast sensitivity was assessed both under photopic and mesopic conditions (with and without glare) using the Functional Vision Analyzer separately for each eye. Furthermore, the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness was measured using scanning laser polarimetry (GDx). RESULTS: Contrast sensitivity was significantly reduced under both mesopic and photopic conditions in patients with primary open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: Evaluation of contrast sensitivity is a valuable diagnostic test, which enables the assessment of visual dysfunction in patients with primary open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension persisting despite good visual acuity.

Evaluation of contrast sensitivity measurements after retrobulbar optic neuritis in Multiple Sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: The evaluation of contrast sensitivity is an important additional examination that allows the physician to achieve the full picture of a patient's quality of vision. In low-contrast conditions, more discrete visual dysfunctions may be revealed, which could be overlooked in high-contrast tests. METHODS: The examined group consisted of 33 eyes of 27 patients with multiple sclerosis. The study included patients with full or almost full visual acuity, without visual field defects or any other ophthalmic condition, and who had never undergone any ocular surgery or trauma. The reference group consisted of 49 eyes of 37 patients. This group included healthy subjects with full visual acuity. Contrast sensitivity was examined with a Functional Vision Analyzer™ device in photopic conditions (with and without glare) and in mesopic conditions (with and without glare). RESULTS: In patients with multiple sclerosis who had experienced optic neuritis, contrast sensitivity was found to be significantly reduced in all spatial frequencies in both mesopic and photopic conditions (with and without glare). CONCLUSIONS: Contrast sensitivity in patients with multiple sclerosis who have also had optic neuritis is significantly reduced. This may explain patients' complaints regarding their quality of vision, despite good visual acuity. Contrastometry is a useful basis for further examination, providing additional information regarding a patient's quality of vision.

[Treatment of traumatic iris defects]. / Leczenie pourazowych uszkodzen teczówki.

INTRODUCTION: Treating traumatic iris defects is still an important therapeutic problem. Various therapeutic strategies are possible, depending on the etiology of the defect, its size or localization, as well as other coexisting defects of ocular structures. PURPOSE: The purpose of this paper was to describe various possible traumatic iris defects, as well as different methods of iris defect repair. CONCLUSIONS: In acquired iris defects, ophthalmologists have a relatively wide choice of treatments. Each method is safe and effective; however, it is important to be aware of their limitations. An appropriate choice of treatment strategy for a specific type of iris defect in view of other coexisting ocular defects is crucial.