Citicoline: Safeguarding Ocular Nerve Health

Factors such as prolonged intensive eye use and aging may impair the stability of ocular nerve cell membranes and the efficiency of nerve signal transmission. A growing body of current research focuses on the value of nutrients for the daily maintenance of ocular nerves, among which citicoline is a nutritional ingredient that has attracted considerable academic attention.

Physiological Mechanisms
Citicoline, also known as CDP-choline, is a naturally occurring nucleoside that can be synthesized by the human body. It serves as a critical precursor for the synthesis of phosphatidylcholine, a key component of nerve cell membranes. In terms of its physiological mechanism, after entering the body, citicoline is hydrolyzed into cytidine and choline, which provide building blocks for the repair and renewal of nerve cell membranes. Meanwhile, it moderately inhibits the activity of phospholipase A2, mitigating damage to injured nerve cell membranes caused by excessive activation of this enzyme and helping preserve the integrity of cell membranes of neurons in the retina and optic nerve.

In addition, citicoline modulates the levels of neurotransmitters including dopamine and norepinephrine. Dopamine plays a vital role in signal transmission within the retina and visual pathway, facilitating the normal conduction of electrical signals in ocular nerves. Under hypoxic stress, citicoline also helps sustain the activity of mitochondrial ATPase and Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase, supplies energy for nerve cell metabolism, and alleviates the metabolic burden induced by oxidative stress.

Relevant Research
In ophthalmological research, a systematic review summarizing 30 global human clinical studies found that citicoline contributes to maintaining the health of retinal and visual pathway nerve cells and supports normal nerve signal conduction. In clinical observations involving amblyopia, glaucoma and non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, favourable changes in visual electrophysiological parameters were observed in some participants.

Beyond appropriate nutritional supplementation, consistent sleep schedules, limited screen time and regular outdoor activities are indispensable lifestyle measures for eye care. Multi-dimensional management helps better maintain ocular comfort.

Reference
Icel E, Akmaz O. The Use of Citicoline in Ophthalmology: A systematic review[J]. Beyoglu Eye J, 2026, 11(1):1‑12. DOI:10.14744/bej.2026.93709.

*Special note - This article is for informational purposes only and cannot replace a doctor's treatment diagnosis and advice. It should not be regarded as a recommendation or proof of efficacy of the medical products involved. If it involves disease diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation, please be sure to go to a professional medical institution to seek professional advice.

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