title: The temporal evolution of structural and functional measures after acute optic neuritis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In this prospective case series, we aimed to characterise the temporal evolution of functional and structural measures in the afferent visual pathway of patients with acute optic neuritis (ON).
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty patients with ON were followed over 12 months. Testing with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (LogMAR) visual acuity and Humphrey perimetry central 30-2 threshold (SITA strategy) was performed at baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months after symptom onset. The main outcome measure was mean peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness in ON eyes. Secondary outcomes included mean ganglion cell layer (GCL) thickness, LogMAR visual acuity, and Humphrey perimetry measured visual field mean deviation (VFMD). Survival analyses were performed to Kaplan-Meier curves and variables in the models were tested using the log-rank test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Over 12 months, RNFL and GCL values progressively declined in ON eyes, and intereye differences were significantly different across all time points. When functional recovery was defined as a VFMD better than -5.00 dB in ON eyes, the mean recovery time for the entire cohort was 3 months (survival was 48%, SE=0.09, 95% CI 0.30 to 0.64). There were significant differences in cumulative recovery when comparisons were made between genders: 3 months after symptom onset there was a higher percentage cumulative recovery for female (75%) versus male (25%) patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Structural and functional measures evolve over time in patients with ON. There may be sex-specific differences in recovery after an acute ON event.
authors: Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada Department of Surgery, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
authors: Fiona
authors: F
authors: Costello
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.
authors: Y Irene
authors: YI
authors: Pan
authors: Division of Neurology, Hospital for Sick Children, Department of Pediatrics (Neurology), University of Toronto, Division of Neurosciences and Mental Health, SickKids Research Institute.
authors: E Ann
authors: EA
authors: Yeh
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.
authors: William
authors: W
authors: Hodge
authors: Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Calgary, Alberta, Canada Department of Community Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
authors: Jodie M
authors: JM
authors: Burton
authors: Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of Iowa, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Iowa City.
authors: Randy
authors: R
authors: Kardon
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009902:Optic Neuritis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012160:Retina / Q000473:pathology; D016019:Survival Analysis; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014787:Vision Tests; D014792:Visual Acuity
keywords: MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS; NEUROOPHTHALMOLOGY; OPHTHALMOLOGY