Can eye drops with citicoline and vitamin B12 help to prevent worsening of diabetic eye disease?

This study looked at the use of citicoline and vitamin B12 eye drops (OMK2) to prevent diabetic retinopathy (DR; eye disease) in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D). It found that using these drops for 36 months improved eye function tests. 

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a common cause of blindness through diabetic retinopathy (DR). DR can be identified through an eye examination. It ranges from mild disease to a serious, sight-threatening condition. Controlling blood glucose (sugar) can help delay the onset of DR, but most patients with T1D patients will develop DR at some stage.

Typically DR does not cause problems that are noticeable to patients until it is quite advanced. Advanced DR is difficult to treat. Prevention is better than treatment, which is why identifying DR early on is important. An eye test called an electroretinogram (ERG) identifies subtle changes in retinal function and can help identify DR at the very early stages.

It is not clear if any eye treatments can be used to treat DR in the early stages.

20 patients with T1D and mild to moderate DR participated in this study. Patients were randomly assigned to one of 2 groups. Group 1 was given citicoline and vitamin B12 eye drops to use three times per day into one eye. Group 2 was given placebo eye drops to use three times per day into one eye. Patients underwent ERG testing at the start of the study and after 36 months of treatment. 

ERG results were improved in 75% of group 1 patients, and unchanged in 25%. However, in group 2 patients, ERG results were worse in 90% of patients and were unchanged in 10%.  

This study showed that citicoline and vitamin B12 eye drops help to improve retinal function in patients with T1D with mild to moderate DR.

This study involved a very small number of patients (20). Larger studies are required to confirm these results.

Talk to your doctor about eye drops and whether they are appropriate in your situation.