Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Jan 21, 2026 2 hours, 51 minutes ago
Medical News: A new experimental study has revealed encouraging early evidence that a combined treatment using citicoline and coenzyme Q10 may help protect the retina from damage caused by high eye pressure, a key factor in glaucoma. This
Medical News report highlights findings that could shape future strategies aimed at slowing vision loss before permanent damage sets in.
A new study shows that combining citicoline and coenzyme Q10 may help protect the retina
from early glaucoma damage.
Understanding the Problem of Glaucoma
Glaucoma is one of the world’s leading causes of irreversible blindness and is often called the “silent thief of sight” because early damage occurs without obvious symptoms. The disease is mainly driven by increased pressure inside the eye, known as ocular hypertension, which gradually harms the optic nerve and the delicate retinal nerve fibers responsible for vision. By the time symptoms appear, significant and permanent vision loss may already have occurred.
How the Study Was Conducted
The research was carried out by scientists from the Ramon Castroviejo Institute for Ophthalmic Research at the Complutense University of Madrid, the Health Research Institute of Hospital Clínico San Carlos, the Department of Immunology Ophthalmology and ENT at the Complutense University of Madrid, the University of Alcalá, and the Visual Neurophysiology Group IRYCIS in Spain.
Using a well-established mouse model, researchers artificially raised eye pressure to mimic early glaucoma. Some animals were given a combination of citicoline and coenzyme Q10 orally, starting before eye pressure was increased. The team then monitored eye pressure, retinal structure, and retinal function using advanced eye imaging and electrical tests.
Key Structural Findings in the Retina
Within just three days of increased eye pressure, untreated eyes showed swelling in the retinal nerve fiber layer. This thickening is believed to be an early sign of inflammation rather than healing. Researchers also observed a rise in tiny reflective particles inside the eye, which are thought to be linked to inflammatory immune cells.
In contrast, eyes treated with the citicoline and coenzyme Q10 combination showed fewer inflammatory particles and more controlled retinal changes. By day seven, damaging changes were still present in untreated eyes, while treated eyes showed milder alterations, suggesting an early protective effect.
Functional Vision Signals Were Better Preserved
The study also measured how well the retina responded to light using electrical recordings. Untreated eyes showed early drops in retinal signal strength, meaning the retina was already struggling to process visual information. Treated eyes, however, maintained stronger signals, indicating that retinal function was better preserved even when eye pressure remained high.
Why These Findings Matter
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Current glaucoma treatments mainly focus on lowering eye pressure, but many patients continue to lose vision despite good pressure control. This study suggests that targeting inflammation and energy failure in retinal cells may offer an added layer of protection during the earliest stages of disease.
Conclusion
Overall, the findings show that combining citicoline and coenzyme Q10 may reduce early inflammation, preserve retinal structure, and support visual function during the initial stages of glaucoma. While these results come from animal research and human studies are still needed, they provide strong early evidence that neuroprotective treatments could complement existing glaucoma therapies and help safeguard vision before irreversible damage occurs.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed International Journal of Molecular Sciences.
https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/27/2/1012
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