Researchers from the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF) are looking at ways they can help patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) better protect the cells in their eyes to prevent long-term vision loss.
According to researchers, more than 50 percent of MS patients experience optic neuritis due to a loss of myelin, which protects the optic nerve. The vision loss is usually temporary and normally occurs in one eye, however MS flares can cause worsening of vision loss that through repeated instances can become permanent.
Through their research, the scientists have reportedly been able to use an optic neuritis mouse model to observe the same flaring process that human patients experience. This has led them to discover two immune pathways that can drive inflammation to the central nervous system and also determine how bad the optic nerve damage is. The researchers believe this will help them in developing specific targets for therapy.
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Source: Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation