Optical coherence tomography: A quantitative tool to measure neurodegeneration and facilitate testing of novel treatments for tissue protection in multiple sclerosis

•Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a low cost, non-invasive imaging technique that has rapidly developed over the last two decades.•OCT is validated in multiple sclerosis and studies have demonstrated its potential for clinical use on both an individual and research level.•OCT has a unique ability to measure axons, and may be instrumental for clinical trials of neuroprotective and neurorestorative therapies.•OCT has the potential to improve the ways in which we understand, diagnosis, monitor and treat multiple sclerosis.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a relatively new imaging technology that has been introduced as a powerful biomarker in neurological disease, including multiple sclerosis. In this review, OCT as an imaging technique, its reproducibility and validation in multiple sclerosis, application to other neurodegenerative diseases and future technological directions are discussed.