Objective To observe the ocular manifestations and therapeutic effect of multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica (NMO) with ocular symptoms.Methods The clinical data of 107 patients who was diagnosed with MS and NMO with ocular symptoms in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed, including 81 MS patients and 26 NMO patients.The counting of erythocytes and leukocyte，protein content and oligoclonal bands were detected by MRI and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in order to ensure the clinical diagnosis with MS and NMO. All the patients had undergone regular ophthalmologic examination of visual acuity，slit lamp microscope and fundus examination.In addition，visual field and visual evoked potential (VEP) examination were performed to analyze the clinical characteristics of ocular manifestations.The patients were received therapy with large dose methylprednisolone or activating blood and dissolving stasis and trophic nerve by chinese medicine. The effects of three methods on ocular manifestations were analyzed. All the patients were followed up for one month to five years. Results Among 81 MS patients，retrobulbar neuritis occurred in 24 patients (29.6%), the other common symptoms included paralytic strabismus and diplopia（30.3%）. Among 26 NMO patients，acute papillitis occurred in 12（46.2%），while retrobulbar neuritis occurred in 14 (53.8%). The most common symptom of both MS and NMO was impaired vision and high abnormal rate. The results of MRI showed that demyelinating lesions beside ventricle was the most performance in MS patients，while abnormalities in spinal cord were found in NMO patients.The results of CSF showed that the positive oligoclonal bands was 75.3% and 19.2% in MS and NMO patients respectively. The potential time delay and (or) amplitude declination were observed by VEP. Large dose methylprednisolone can improve vision and diplopia in a short period.Conclusion The abnormal ocular manifestations of MS and NMO patients are common and complicated. Ocular symptoms has important reference value in the early diagnosis of MS and NMO.
Plasma exchange (PE) is a therapeutic blood component replacement method. The blood of patients is first separated into plasma and blood cell components using a blood cell separator in vitro, the plasma containing harmful pathogenic substances is then discarded and replaced with the same volume of exchange solution. Finally the separated blood cells together with the exchange solution are returned back to the blood circulation of patients. By reducing the circulating antibodies, abnormal plasma proteins or cytokines and other pathogenic molecules, PE can block the disease process. PE has a good therapeutic effect on neuromyelitis optica-related optic neuritis (NMO-ON), which shows resistant to glucocorticoid therapy for the first onset. The American Society for Apheresis guideline evaluates PE for acute optic neuritis as a recommended grade 1B, type II indication. In the implementation of PE treatment for NMO-ON and other diseases, indications and contraindications should be strictly adhered to the guideline, treatment procedures and protocols should be optimized, common adverse events and its prevention and management should be known and alerted. It is important to conduct multi-center clinical cooperation and a high standard clinical randomized controlled study, to find out the optimal time window, the best protocol, and the associated factors for the efficacy and prognosis of PE in NMO-ON.