Value of saccadic latency as a diagnostic tool for multiple sclerosis

Background Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic and progressive autoimmune disorder that affects the Central Nervous System (CNS). MS is a clinical diagnosis that is confirmed by MRI, visual evoked potentials, and CSF examination. The objective of the current review and meta-analysis is to evaluate the value of saccadic eye movement abnormalities – particularly saccadic latency – as a diagnostic tool for Multiple Sclerosis. Methods We searched the literature in MEDLINE, PubMed, Web of Science and Cochrane Library from 1st January 1998, through 1st September 2018. Published studies of adult patients who are diagnosed with MS and had VOR testing including saccadic eye movement test, and reporting saccadic latency. We calculated pooled mean differences (MD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) using a random-effects model for latencies in milliseconds (ms) between MS patients and normal controls. The considerable heterogeneity decided the effect model. Results Five studies met all inclusion criteria. MS patients had a significantly longer saccadic latency compared to the control group, with 135 MS cases and 126 controls, were included in this meta-analysis. The results indicated that there is a significant increase in saccadic latency in the MS group (MD = 31.99, 95% CI = 14.08, 49.90, p = .0005). Conclusion Based on current evidence from published studies, Saccadic latency can serve as a diagnostic tool to support the clinical diagnosis of MS.