New Eye-Protection Discovery: Citicoline, Vitamins, and Blackcurrant

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness worldwide, with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) being the most common form. In its early stages, the disease often presents no obvious symptoms, yet it gradually damages retinal nerve fibers and the optic nerve, ultimately leading to vision loss.

What makes it even more challenging is that simply lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) is often insufficient to halt disease progression. As a result, researchers have been exploring more comprehensive adjunctive therapies.

In recent years, a new study has brought hope: a combination of citicoline, antioxidant vitamins (A, B, C, and E), and blackcurrant extract has shown positive effects on eye health in POAG patients.

These three components do not work in isolation but form a synergistic "eye-protection alliance".

Citicoline

Citicoline is the "nerve guardian" of the alliance. It is a naturally occurring substance in the human body that helps repair nerve cell membranes and reduces neuronal damage and death.

For glaucoma patients, it protects the fragile retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and the ganglion cell complex (GCC)—two critical structures responsible for transmitting visual signals.

Changes in their thickness are directly linked to visual function.

Antioxidant Vitamins

Antioxidant vitamins (A, B, C, and E) act as "free radical scavengers".The progression of glaucoma is closely associated with oxidative stress in the eye, where excess free radicals continuously attack ocular cells.

Vitamin A is a key component of photoreceptor cells, vitamins C and E neutralize free radicals directly, and vitamin B enhances cellular metabolism, reducing oxidative damage.

Studies have found that while these vitamins have limited effects when used individually, their combination produces a synergistic antioxidant effect, offering better protection against damage.

Blackcurrant Extract

Blackcurrant extract serves as the "vascular facilitator". Rich in anthocyanins, it has strong vascular protective properties and can improve retinal microcirculation, ensuring ocular tissues receive adequate oxygen and nutrients.

In glaucoma patients, a decline in retinal vascular density is a key indicator of disease worsening.

Blackcurrant extract has been shown to effectively increase vascular density around the macula and optic disc, providing essential nutritional support to the optic nerve and retina.

Significant Increase in Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness

In a one-year clinical trial, researchers studied 30 POAG patients.

Fifteen participants took a daily supplement containing the aforementioned ingredients (for 20 days each month), while the other group received a placebo.

Results showed that those taking the supplement experienced a significant increase in RNFL thickness at both 6 and 12 months.

Improvements were also observed in ganglion cell complex thickness and retinal vascular density.

In contrast, the control group showed a trend of RNFL thinning. Importantly, the supplement was well tolerated, with no significant side effects reported.

It should be noted that this combination supplement is not a "miracle cure" for glaucoma and cannot replace IOP-lowering medications or surgical treatments. Instead, it serves as an adjunct to help protect ocular structures.

Additionally, the study had a limited sample size, and larger-scale research is ongoing.

For glaucoma patients, following medical advice for standard treatment while supplementing with these nutrients may offer an additional layer of protection for visual health.

As research progresses, more precise and effective nutritional combinations may emerge, bringing new hope to those affected by glaucoma.

Reference:

[1] Giunta P, D'Andrea L, Rinaldi M, et al. Impact of Oral Citicoline, Antioxidant Vitamins, and Blackcurrant Supplementation on Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma: An OCT and OCTA Study[J]. *Biomedicines*, 2025, 13(6): 1352.

*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.

by GSHWORLD

GSHWORLD is China Biological API Manufacturer. China Citicoline Supplements powder suppliers & best Citicoline benefits raw material Factory.