A study published in Ophthalmologica shows that consuming citicoline as a supplement may slow the progression of visual acuity loss due to glaucoma. Citicoline is a nutrient that helps the brain generate electrical impulses, care for healthy brain cells, and protect neurons from free radical damage. It supports memory and cognitive function, while aiding in the synthesis and maintenance of cell membranes.
Researchers at the Sao Paolo Hospital Eye Clinic at the University of Milan, Italy, followed 41 patients with progressing glaucoma—a disease that damages the optic nerve and can lead to vision problems and blindness—over two years. The study targeted individuals with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), which is associated with increased eye pressure and a resulting loss of the vision field.
Participants were given an oral solution that contained 500 mg of citicoline. The researchers found that the mean rate of progression dropped compared to the two years prior to the study. The study also found that there was a statistically significant decrease in intraocular pressure. It is not conclusive that citicoline alone is responsible for the results; however, supplementation with citicoline may be beneficial in overall brain and eye health.
