The application of RNFL thickness detection in early differential diagnosis among various types of idiopathic optic neuritis

In this study, we attempted to investigate the application of RNFL thickness detection in the early differential diagnosis among various types of idiopathic optic neuritis (ION). In comparison with 19 healthy controls (HC), retrospective analysis of quadrant RNFL thickness in 83 patients with ION was performed, including eighteen multiple sclerosis (MS), forty-five neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), twenty patients with other idiopathic optic neuritis (O-ION). Our results showed that mean and every quadrant RNFL thickness of MS, NMOSD and O-ION were thinner than those of HC (P < 0.05). In comparison with MS and O-ION, NMOSD group had thinner RNFL thickness in nasal quadrant (P < 0.05). No significant difference in each quadrant RNFL thickness between MS-ON and O-ION was suggested (P > 0.05). Mean and every quadrant RNFL thickness of unaffected eyes of MS-ON were not different from those of HC (P > 0.05). We concluded that for patients only with simple optic neuritis, NMOSD has a significantly thinner RNFL thickness in nasal quadrant than MS and O-ION, which may contribute to the clinical differentiation and therapy among various types of idiopathic optic neuritis.