Citicoline As An Adjunct Therapy: Does It Influence Post-Cataract Macular Thickness
Published 2026 - 44th Congress of the ESCRS
Reference: POCAT254 | Type: Poster | DOI: 10.82333/799n-q965
Authors: Dr Sandra Sekelj* 1 , Dr Martina Liovic Milec 1 , Mrs Suzana Farena 1 , Mrs Zeljka Rakic 1 , Mrs Ruzica Milec 1
1Eye Department,GH Dr Josip Bencevic,Slavonski Brod,Croatia
Purpose
This study aims to determine the potential effect of citicoline eye drops on postoperative OCT-measured macular thickness in patients undergoing cataract surgery.
Setting
The study was conducted at the Eye Department of General Hospital "Dr Josip Bencevic" and included patients attending routine preoperative evaluation for cataract surgery. All examinations were performed under standardized clinical conditions using the same diagnostic equipment and postoperative treatment protocol. Patients were followed one month after surgery.
Methods
Preoperatively, visual acuity was measured, lens opacity was graded, and macular OCT imaging was performed. Following cataract surgery, all patients received topical levofloxacin–dexamethasone drops four times daily for 7 days, dexamethasone sodium phosphate ophthalmic gel four times daily for 7 days followed by twice daily for the next 7 days, and citicoline eye drops three times daily for one month. At 1 month postoperatively, visual acuity and macular OCT were repeated. Additional recorded variables included age, sex, and the presence or absence of diabetes mellitus.
Results
The mean age was 74.6 ± 7.0 years. There was statistically significant increase in macular thickness following cataract surgery, with OCT measurements (265.5 ± 36.1 µm) being higher than OCT preoperatively (256.6 ± 32.1 µm) (p < 0.00001). Visual acuity before operation showed no significant correlation with OCT before operation (r = 0.05, p = 0.69) or postoperative OCT(r ≈ 0.00, p = 0.94). Nuclear opacity did not significantly correlate with OCT before operation (ρ = 0.096, p = 0.43) or OCT postoperatively (ρ = 0.12, p = 0.33). OCT measurments postoperatively were slightly higher in the diabetic patients (271.0 ± 23.3 µm vs. 263.9 ± 39.1 µm), but this difference was also not statistically significant (p > 0.05).
Conclusions
Based on the results of this study, citicoline eye drops did not demonstrate a measurable benefit in reducing or preventing postoperative macular thickening, but no relevant clinical deterioration occurred.