Optical coherence tomography in the diagnosis and management of optic neuritis and multiple sclerosis

Optic neuritis (ON) is an inflammatory optic nerve injury, which is strongly associated with multiple sclerosis (MS). Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has the potential to provide a reliable means of capturing axonal deficits, which can be paired to tests of visual function to provide a structural-functional paradigm of brain injury. In this respect, the eye provides a unique view into the effects of central nervous system inflammation, which may enhance the understanding of disease mechanisms that contribute to neurological disability in MS. This review addresses the published experience with OCT in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with ON and MS, and discusses the applications of OCT in ongoing clinical trials. The potential gains and limitations of spectral-domain OCT as an evolving technology and surrogate marker of axonal brain injury are also discussed.