Using eye tests to detect and monitor MS
Vision problems are often one of the earliest signs of MS, with up to 70% of people experiencing optic neuritis at some point. The eyes are directly connected to the brain and are part of the central nervous system. This means small changes in the eye might reflect damage happening in the brain and nerves before symptoms become obvious.
This project will explore whether subtle changes in the eye can be used identify early signs of MS and track how the condition changes over time.
About the project
In this project, Professor Mitra Tavakoli and her team will test whether quick, non-invasive eye tests could be used to detect and monitor MS. They'll recruit:
- 30 people with relapsing MS who have previously had optic neuritis
- 30 people with relapsing MS who haven't had optic neuritis
- 20 people without MS or any eye conditions
Each participant will have a series of quick, painless, and non-invasive eye tests. The eye tests will look at different parts and functions of the eye, including the retina (the back of the eye), the cornea (the clear front surface), visual fields (how much someone can see without moving their eyes) and eye movements.
Each participant will also have a medical and neurological assessment. And people with MS will complete questionnaires about any pain and cognitive symptoms they experience.
With this data, the team aim to:
- Assess the feasibility of using these eye tests in clinics
- Identify which biomarkers (measurable changes in the eyes that can be seen using eye tests) are best at distinguishing between people with and without MS
- Understand how these biomarkers might relate to existing ways to measure MS severity
- Design a larger future study
How will it help people with MS?
Current tests used to diagnose and monitor MS can be invasive, costly, and slow. This can delay diagnosis and treatment decisions, which may cause anxiety and worsen long-term outcomes.
By developing easy-to-use, non-invasive eye tests, this project could help lead to earlier diagnosis, better monitoring of MS progression, and faster treatment decisions. This could help to improve the diagnostic process and quality of life for people affected by MS.
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