Know Multiple Sclerosis

A new eye scan has been developed which could potentially be used to track progression of multiple sclerosis in patients.

This would not be a replacement for the MRI; rather, a complimentary tool for doctors to monitor the disease more frequently. It costs 1/10 of the cost of an MRI machine, and takes 1/10 the amount of time to do a scan. While the cost of MRIs are prohibitively expensive to do often, this eye scan could be done at frequent intervals to monitor brain atrophy, or shrinkage. It's also painless.

Since the retinal nerve fiber layer is not covered in myelin, this scan provides an insight into actual nerve damage. An MRI, on the other hand, is a picture of many different types of tissue in the brain. Over time, as more data is gathered and analyzed with this new tool, it could be used to better predict future progression and symptoms. This could allow doctors and patients to better tailor treatment methods.

Here is the full article.