Published
According to a new study, substances contained in Viagra in particular could cause eye damage such as retinal detachment.
Both Viagra and Cialis have an effect on blood circulation which could also affect blood flow to the eyes.
AFP
Since 2005, the Food and Drug Administration, in the United States, had asked the manufacturers of drugs against erectile dysfunction, such as Viagra, Cialis or Levitra, to add a warning that these products could promote ischemic optic neuropathy ( ION), a condition that can lead to permanent vision loss. Other reports have mentioned a link between these drugs and two other eye diseases, the risk of serous retinal detachment (SRD) and retinal vascular occlusion (RVO), but this has not really been proven. Canadian researchers therefore decided to investigate the subject.
Erectile dysfunction medications act on the blood vessels, dilating them, which increases the flow of blood to the penis. Sildenafil (Viagra) or tadalafil (Cialis) achieve this effect by inhibiting the PDE5 enzyme found in muscle cells in blood vessels, the site explains. Gizmodo. Could they therefore have an impact on the blood flow in the eyes and promote disorders there?
To find out, the researchers looked at data between 2006 and 2020 of 213,033 men in the United States taking products containing PDE5I (PDE5 inhibitors). None of them had been diagnosed with a vision problem before taking these drugs. The results were compared with a control population that did not take these products.
Very low risks
The results, published on April 7 in “Jama Ophthalmology” show that men taking these erectile dysfunction treatments are 2.58 times more likely to develop retinal detachment (RDS), 1.44 times more likely to develop retinal occlusion (RVO), and 2.02 times more likely to develop optic neuropathy ( ION). Typically, they had an 85% increased risk of developing one of these three conditions.
So be careful, the risks remain very low, a few cases per 10,000 people. Except that in the United States alone, there would be between 20 and 30 million men suffering from erectile disorders likely to take these treatments, which increases the odds. “The results of this study suggest that people who regularly use PDE5I should be aware of the ocular adverse effects associated with these drugs and alert their physicians if they experience visual deficits.”
One of the study’s authors, Mahyar Etminan. says that the warning of a possible risk of ION already exists on these products, but that the risks of SRD and RVO should be added. “Men who have underlying eye problems like glaucoma or retinal conditions should speak with their eye doctor before starting these medications. Those in good health should only seek medical attention if they experience visual changes while taking these medications.