Brief Summary:

In the management of glaucoma, as for as in other optic nerve diseases, an important goal of ophthalmologists is represented by the possibility of influencing visual function.

In this regard, Parisi et al [Ophthalmology 1999; 106:1126-1134.] suggested the intramuscular treatment with Cytidine-5-diphosphocholine (CDP-Choline or citicoline) to improve glaucomatous visual defects. In particular, recent studies reported the effects of citicoline on glaucomatous retinal and postretinal visual structures evaluated by electrophysiological examinations (PERG and VEP). It was observed that a 2-month period of treatment with citicoline may induce improvement in both ganglion cell function (PERGs with increase in amplitudes and shortening in times-to-peak) and in neural conduction along postretinal visual pathways (VEPs with increase in amplitudes and shortening in times-to-peak). The effects of citicoline on glaucomatous retinal and postretinal structures were not present 8 months after the end of treatment. However, performing several 2-month period of treatment with citicoline during a total period of 8 years, it was found a additional improvement of the glaucomatous retinal and postretinal impairment [Parisi V. Doc Ophthalmol. 2005 Jan;110:91-102). In this work, we aimed to assess whether there similar visual function outcomes can be reached by the oral treatment with citicoline in patients affected by glaucomatous optic nerve disease as of as in other optic nerve diseases (i.e. non-arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy)