ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION DRUGS HARD ON VISION
GUYS who routinely use prescription drugs for erectile dysfunction (ED) are also inflating their chances of developing one of three serious eye conditions, a new study suggests. University of British Columbia researchers analyzed 14 years of health insurance claims for 213,000 American men who had none of the identified optic problems before consuming ED drugs such as sildenafil, tadalafil and avanafil.
After accounting for other conditions known to cause eye ailments — like hypertension, diabetes and coronary heart disease — they found the drug-takers had an 85 percent increased risk for serous retinal detachment (SRD), retinal vascular occlusion (RVO) and ischemic optic neuropathy (ION).
“These are rare conditions. However, the sheer number of prescriptions dispensed each month in the U.S. — about 20 million — means a significant number of people could be impacted,” says Dr. Mahyar Etminan. “Regular users of these drugs who find changes in their vision should take it seriously and seek medical attention.”
SRD is a collection of fluid behind the retina with no tears or breaks. Symptoms include the sudden appearance of “floaters” or spots in the field of vision and flashes of light. ED medication users were 2.58 times more likely to develop SRD than nonusers.
Sudden loss or blurring of vision and dark spots or “floaters” signal RVO, a blood clot in retinal veins or arteries. ED pill users have a 1.44 times bigger risk.
ION — which is a compromised blood supply to the optic nerve — primarily causes loss of central vision. The risk of development was 2.02 times higher among ED medication consumers.
The study did not prove the drugs cause these conditions, but Etminan explains, “These medications address erectile dysfunction by improving blood flow, but we know they can also hinder blood flow in other parts of the body. The evidence points to a strong link.”
Currently, the potential for SRD and RVO development is not listed in patient information supplied with the medications, although ION risk is. However, Etminan hopes his team’s findings will change that.
He says, “The main message is it’s rare, but — pardon the pun — keep an eye on it.”