Retinal Vessel Analysis in People with Multiple Sclerosis
In a study of 179 people with multiple sclerosis, researchers found that smaller retinal vessel diameters were associated with higher disability scores on the Expanded Disability Status Scale. Specifically, a 5 μm decrease correlated with a 23.5% increased likelihood of being in the higher disability group after adjusting for age and other factors.
- Tags
- #MSResearch
- Most relevant to
- —
Why it matters
This research suggests a potential link between retinal vascular health and disability levels in multiple sclerosis, highlighting retinal vessel analysis as a possible area for further examination in understanding the disease.
What this does not prove
However, this association did not hold when adjusting for macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer, indicating that other factors may influence these relationships.
Next milestone
No next milestone was established from the available source.
Study facts
- Study design
- Observational
- Participants / samples
- 179 · basis not reported
- Randomised
- Not reported
- Controlled
- Not reported
- Primary endpoint met
- Yes
- Relevant MS type
- Not reported
- Publication date
- 2026-09-28
- Evidence reviewed
- Abstract only
- Regulatory approval
- Not reported
- Research areas
- Not classified
Original sources
- Primary evidenceRetinal vessel diameters in multiple sclerosis: associations with disability, cardiovascular risk factors and retinal atrophy. ↗DOI: 10.1177/13524585261489425
Supporting passages (7)
study designMETHODS: People with multiple sclerosis received standardized static retinal vessel analysis to assess central retinal arteriolar and venular equivalents, neurological examination for the Expanded Disability Status Scale and optical coherence tomography for the macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer.
subjectsMETHODS: People with multiple sclerosis received standardized static retinal vessel analysis to assess central retinal arteriolar and venular equivalents, neurological examination for the Expanded Disability Status Scale and optical coherence tomography for the macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer.
sample sizeRESULTS: One hundred and seventy-nine people with multiple sclerosis (median age: 44 years, Expanded Disability Status Scale: 2.0, central retinal arteriolar equivalent: 184 µm, central retinal venular equivalent: 221 µm) were included.
primary endpoint metA 5 μm decrease in vessel diameter increased the odds of being in the high (⩾4) Expanded Disability Status Scale group by 23.5% for central retinal arteriolar equivalent (p = 0.026) and 23.9% for central retinal venular equivalent (p = 0.018), after adjustment for age, treatment and cardiovascular risk factors.
publication datePublication date: 2026-09-28
findingsINTERPRETATION: Retinal vessel diameters show cross-sectional associations with cardiovascular risk factors, retinal atrophy and disability in people with multiple sclerosis, while longitudinal studies are warranted.
limitationsWhen additionally adjusting for macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer, the associations did not remain (central retinal arteriolar equivalent-Expanded Disability Status Scale: p = 0.355; central retinal venular equivalent-Expanded Disability Status Scale: p = 0.107).
AI assessment, not yet reviewed by a person · version 1 · Community votes are separate from evidence review.