Abstract
BACKGROUND: Visual disturbances are a common and often debilitating complication following stroke, significantly impairing patients' functional independence and quality of life. Among various neuroprotective agents, Citicoline (cytidine-5'-diphosphocholine) has demonstrated multifaceted mechanisms of action, including modulation of phospholipid metabolism, reduction of oxidative stress, and enhancement of dopaminergic and cholinergic neurotransmission. These properties suggest potential benefits in promoting visual recovery post-stroke. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the effect of Citicoline administration on the improvement of visual impairment in patients with a history of stroke at Prof. Dr. Chairuddin Panusunan Lubis Hospital, University of Sumatera Utara, and its network hospitals. METHODS: This quasi-experimental study employed a pre- and post-intervention design involving 30 post-stroke patients who received 1,000 mg of oral Citicoline daily for 30 consecutive days. Visual function was evaluated through standard ophthalmological assessments, including visual acuity (logMAR), visual field analysis using the Humphrey Field Analyzer, contrast sensitivity (Pelli-Robson chart), and color sensitivity test (Farnsworth Munsell D-15 test), both before and after treatment. RESULTS: Post-treatment analysis revealed no statistically significant improvement in visual acuity or visual field parameters (p > 0.05). However, contrast sensitivity showed a statistically significant enhancement following Citicoline administration (p < 0.05). No significant changes were observed in color vision outcomes (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Oral Citicoline supplementation over a 30-day period appears to exert a beneficial effect specifically on contrast sensitivity in stroke patients with visual dysfunction, while its impact on visual acuity, visual fields, and color perception remains inconclusive. Further research involving combinations with other neuroprotective agents, larger sample sizes, or longer intervention durations is needed to confirm these findings and to explore the potential benefits of Citicoline more comprehensively.