Effect of neuroprotective citicoline eye drops on macular microcirculation

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To use optical coherence tomography (OCTA) examination of the retinal microvascular structures to evaluate the effect of neuroprotective eye drops (citicoline, OMK1®) administered for laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective study included 45 patients treated with citicoline after LASIK and 48 patients not treated with citicoline after LASIK as a control group. In both groups, the foveal avascular zone (FAZ), retinal superficial vascular density (SVD), and deep vascular density (DVD) in the foveal and parafoveal areas were measured preoperatively and at 1 and 3 months postoperatively using OCTA. RESULTS: No significant difference was detected between the groups in terms of preoperative SVD or DVD in the foveal and parafoveal zones and all quadrants (superior, inferior, temporal, and nasal) (P?>?0.05). Similarly, no significant difference was detected between the citicoline group and control group in terms of SVD or DVD in the foveal and parafoveal zones at 1 and 3 months after LASIK (P?>?0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Despite their neuroprotective effect, topical citicoline drops had no significant effect on the superficial and deep microvascular structures of the retina or choriocapillaris.