Effects of Citicoline, Homotaurine, and Vitamin E on Contrast Sensitivity and Visual-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma: A Preliminary Study

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of supplementation with a fixed combination of citicoline 500 mg, homotaurine 50 mg, and vitamin E 12 mg (CIT/HOMO/VITE) on contrast sensitivity and visual-related quality of life in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) in mild stage. This was a multicenter, observational, cross-over, short-term, pilot study on POAG patients with stable controlled intraocular pressure (IOP). Patients were randomly assigned to Group 1 (current topical therapy for 4 months and then current topical therapy plus CIT/HOMO/VITE for 4 months) or Group 2 (CIT/HOMO/VITE in addition to current topical therapy for 4 months and then topical therapy alone for 4 months). Best-corrected visual acuity, IOP, visual field, and the Spaeth/Richman contrast sensitivity (SPARCS) test score were recorded at baseline and after 4 and 8 months. The Glaucoma Quality of Life-15 (GQL-15) questionnaire was administered at each check time. Forty-four patients were assigned to Group 1 and 65 to Group 2. Over the follow-up period, there were no significant changes in IOP or visual field findings, whereas SPARCS and GQL-15 findings significantly varied from baseline, both being improved in subjects treated with CIT/HOMO/VITE fixed combination. These results demonstrate that a daily intake of a fixed combination of citicoline, homotaurine, and vitamin E in addition to the topical medical treatment significantly increased the total score of the contrast sensitivity test and the quality of life in patients with POAG.

Keywords

• primary open-angle glaucoma
• citicoline
• homotaurine
• vitamin E
• contrast sensitivity
• quality of life