OCT Results

[BDett]

Hi - I am new to MedHelp but found many postings on OCT since I learned of this new test for MS today at my first Neuro-Opthamologist appointment.  I was diagnosed a little over a year ago and since late December have had a lot of vision problems.  Test results were mostly good but my OCT was in the "yellow" range for my age.  I am 42 and I think my numbers were around 74/75 (I started crying at this point).  Can anyone tell me if this is the borderline range?  And, any experience with how this plays out year on year?  I know it's a relatively new test but I'm still curious.  Thanks for any perspective you can add...

[brittkl]

Yes, yellow is borderline for retinal nerve thinning.

[BDett]

thanks for the replies and good point about holding on to all test results.  To answer esdipity, I am already diagnosed but was having vision problems.  The OCT showed that the nerves are thinner than they should be given my age, since everyone's apparently thin over time even when in perfect health.  I was just wondering if anyone knew how severe a result of 77 and 75 were?  Thanks so much!

[essdipity]

I don't recall that the test machine had color ranges or age ranges printed on the output. I think it was just Normal, Thinning, and Severe Thinning, and that that automatically was adjusted for age.

OCT was not invented to be a diagnostic tool for MS, and if that's changed I'm surprised. Its use was to show progression of diagnosed patients.much as an MRI would, but using a much quicker and cheaper technique. I'm not at all sure eye problems in MS have a lot to do with the outcome of OCT testing. I'm thinking that the test is a 'window' into MS in general. Would be glad to here from someone who can clarify this for us.

ess

[essdipity]

I had my first OCT test several weeks ago. Guess I have to ask for the official report. But the tech told me that, adjusted for age, I scored below normal (thinning) on the right. I note that this is the same side where my visual evoked potential was abnormal many years ago. I would imagine that these two are expected to correlate and mine did, but I don't know a lot about the test.

In my regular exam by an ophthalmologist, nothing abnormal can be seen, and MRIs don't show anything in particular either regarding the optic nerves. I have never had ON. But the OCT test definitely shows the result of MS. I'm lucky it doesn't show it any worse.

ess

[PeninaD]

You should get copies of this, as well as every test and report from now onwards.  You will find this helpful when going to various doctors and facilities in the future, whether tor second opinions, allied care issues, or unexpected reasons.

[Poppy7402]

I had this done last year sometime but unfortunately I can't lay my hands on a copy of the result to see what the ranges were.  My suggestion is that you give your Neuro-Ophthalmologist's Secretary a call and ask for a copy of the result.  It's only a matter of them printing if off for you and should (hopefully) put your mind at rest.  :-)

Best wishes

Poppy