Using Optical Coherence Tomography to Capture Retinal Microvascular Changes Associated With Multiple Sclerosis
| Status: | Completed |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Neurology, Multiple Sclerosis |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Neurology, Other |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 18 - 70 |
| Updated: | 4/17/2018 |
| Start Date: | April 2012 |
| End Date: | February 8, 2017 |
Using OCT to Capture Retinal Microvascular Changes Associated With MS
Recent studies have shown that people with multiple sclerosis (MS) who also have diseases
related to vascular health such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes,
cardiovascular disease, and others, may end up more disabled than people with MS who don't
have those diseases. This has led to a growing interest in the role of vascular diseases in
MS since they may provide another avenue of MS treatment. Some also think that vascular
disease may even be a cause of MS. The back of the eye, the retina, is well-suited to
studying vascular diseases as blood vessels can be seen even on routine examination of the
eye by eye doctors. These specialists are used to seeing changes in retinal blood vessels due
to diseases known to affect the eyes such as glaucoma and diabetes. Sophisticated techniques
for examining the retina allow for not only visualization of blood vessels, but the rate of
blood flow through the blood vessels as well. These blood flow changes are thought to come
before changes in what the blood vessels look like, and so may be able to detect problems
even earlier than routine examination of the retina by eye doctors. Retinal blood flow has
never been carefully studied in MS. Given that MS affects the retina due to the late effects
of inflammation of the optic nerve, or optic neuritis, the investigators expect to see
altered blood flow in the retinal blood vessels of people with MS compared to healthy control
subjects. If so, the investigators can then use retinal blood flow as a way to measure
therapies that target vascular diseases in the MS population and determine if those therapies
can alter the course of disease.
related to vascular health such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes,
cardiovascular disease, and others, may end up more disabled than people with MS who don't
have those diseases. This has led to a growing interest in the role of vascular diseases in
MS since they may provide another avenue of MS treatment. Some also think that vascular
disease may even be a cause of MS. The back of the eye, the retina, is well-suited to
studying vascular diseases as blood vessels can be seen even on routine examination of the
eye by eye doctors. These specialists are used to seeing changes in retinal blood vessels due
to diseases known to affect the eyes such as glaucoma and diabetes. Sophisticated techniques
for examining the retina allow for not only visualization of blood vessels, but the rate of
blood flow through the blood vessels as well. These blood flow changes are thought to come
before changes in what the blood vessels look like, and so may be able to detect problems
even earlier than routine examination of the retina by eye doctors. Retinal blood flow has
never been carefully studied in MS. Given that MS affects the retina due to the late effects
of inflammation of the optic nerve, or optic neuritis, the investigators expect to see
altered blood flow in the retinal blood vessels of people with MS compared to healthy control
subjects. If so, the investigators can then use retinal blood flow as a way to measure
therapies that target vascular diseases in the MS population and determine if those therapies
can alter the course of disease.
Background data including age, sex, medical history, and neurologic history and status will
be gathered prior to the study/OCT testing visit. At the single study/testing visit, subjects
will have their blood pressure and intraocular pressure checked (using numbing drops that
last 15-20 minutes), undergo vision testing and then have their eyes dilated with standard
dilating drops. They will then undergo optical coherence tomography testing to determine the
blood flow of the retinal blood vessels and to take other measurements of the back of the eye
including thicknesses of the nervous tissue elements of the retina.
OCT Procedure: The subject will be seated and have their head positioned on a chin rest. They
will be asked to look at a target (a lighted spot) while a beam of light scans the front part
of the eye. The light is infrared and will not be visible or cause any sensation. A cotton
tip swab may be used to help hold the eyelid open temporarily if necessary.
be gathered prior to the study/OCT testing visit. At the single study/testing visit, subjects
will have their blood pressure and intraocular pressure checked (using numbing drops that
last 15-20 minutes), undergo vision testing and then have their eyes dilated with standard
dilating drops. They will then undergo optical coherence tomography testing to determine the
blood flow of the retinal blood vessels and to take other measurements of the back of the eye
including thicknesses of the nervous tissue elements of the retina.
OCT Procedure: The subject will be seated and have their head positioned on a chin rest. They
will be asked to look at a target (a lighted spot) while a beam of light scans the front part
of the eye. The light is infrared and will not be visible or cause any sensation. A cotton
tip swab may be used to help hold the eyelid open temporarily if necessary.
Inclusion Criteria (Subjects with MS):
- Physician-confirmed diagnosis of MS (any subtype acceptable, e.g. relapsing-
remitting, secondary progressive, primary progressive)
- Age 18-70 years old
- Able to comply with study procedures
- Corrected visual acuity at least 20/200 in either eye
Inclusion Criteria (Healthy subjects):
- Age 18-70 years old
- Able to comply with study procedures
- Able to maintain stable fixation for OCT imaging
- Corrected visual acuity of at least 20/40 in either eye
Exclusion Criteria (all participants):
- Intravenous or oral steroids in the prior 30 days
- Evidence on ophthalmological exam within the last year of other ocular diseases or
pathology that would confound the assessment of MS and optic nerve head (e.g.
glaucoma, diabetic or hypertensive retinal disease, amblyopia, etc.)
- Previous intraocular surgery except for uncomplicated cataract surgery
- Inability to maintain stable fixation for OCT imaging
- Refractive error greater than +3 or -7 diopters
- MS exacerbation in the prior 60 days.
We found this trial at
1
site
3181 Southwest Sam Jackson Park Road
Portland, Oregon 97239
Portland, Oregon 97239
503 494-8311
Oregon Health and Science University In 1887, the inaugural class of the University of Oregon...
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