Homonymous Hemiatrophy of Macular Ganglion Cell Layer as a Marker of Retrograde Neurodegeneration in Multiple Sclerosis—A Narrative Review

Abstract

Retrograde axonal neurodegeneration along the visual pathway—either direct or trans-synaptic—has already been demonstrated in multiple sclerosis (MS), as well as in compressive, vascular, or posttraumatic lesions of the visual pathway. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) can noninvasively track macular and optic nerve changes occurring as a result of this phenomenon. Our paper aimed to review the existing literature regarding hemimacular atrophic changes in the ganglion cell layer identified using OCT examination in MS patients without prior history of optic neuritis. Homonymous hemimacular atrophy has been described in post-chiasmal MS lesions, even in patients with normal visual field results. Temporal and nasal macular OCT evaluation should be performed separately in all MS patients, in addition to an optic nerve OCT evaluation and a visual field exam.

Keywords

• homonymous macular hemiatrophy
• hemimacular atrophy
• macular ganglion cell layer
• GCIPL atrophy
• optical coherence tomography
• multiple sclerosis