Evaluation of the Incidence of Macular Edema in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis Treated with Fingolimod

Purpose: To determine the incidence of macular edema in patients with MS treated with 0.5 mg Fingolimod. Methods: In this prospective descriptive-analytic study a total of 115 patients were enrolled. Patients underwent an ophthalmologic examination before starting the treatment. In the fourth month after starting the treatment for each patient, regardless of whether or not being marked, the ophthalmologic examination and OCT were repeated. The results were analyzed, using SPSS version 19 software. Results: The mean ± SD age of the patients was 32.68 ± 7. 57 years. The result of the preliminary examination of direct and indirect ophthalmoscopy of the right and left eyes before the onset of treatment in all cases for macular lesions was normal. The average of the secondary ocular examination during the treatment was 4.05±3.18 months. The result of the secondary examination of direct and indirect ophthalmoscopy of the right and left eyes during the treatment in all cases for macular lesions was normal. There was no macular edema in the right or left eye of none of the patients during the treatment. Conclusion: Based on the results of the present study, Iranian Fingolimod can be used for the treatment of patients with MS with minimal ophthalmic complications and macular edema with considering regular ophthalmologic examinations.