Erectile Dysfunction And Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischaemic Optic Neuropathy

A recent study that looked at the effects of two specific erectile dysfunction drugs, namely Viagra and Cialis (Sildenafi and Tadalafil) on the optic nerve in men had worry results in certain cases. The researchers who had the results printed in the British Journal of Ophthalmology said that men who have a higher than normal blood pressure or who have previously suffered a heart attack could have a higher chance of having optical nerve injury with the use of the impotence drugs, and that doctors and pharmacists need to tell patients clearly of these risks.

The study was conducted on seventy six men who sought treatment in an American eye clinic, fifty percent of whom had optical nerve injury known as non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy or NAION for short. It is estimated that about six thousand people get NAION every year and it is the most common type of optical nerve injury in elderly Americans. The other fifty percent were taken randomly and were not suffering from NAION.

Following questionnaires about drinking habits and smoking as well as health issues such as coronary heart disease, blood pressure and whether they were diabetic and if they took medicines for the conditions. The survey also stresses whether they have ever used Viagra or Cialis for erectile dysfunction.

Both study groups of men were matched more or less for racial, age and lifestyle factors and the results pointed to a similar likelyhood for men who had NAION to have used Viagra or Cialis compared to men in the other group. However the study noted that men who had previously suffered from heart attacks had a ten times bigger chance to get NAION on having used Viagra or Cialis.

A bigger chance of having NAION was also noted in men who had high blood pressure and had used Viagra and Cialis, but the reseachers said that wasn't significant from a statistical point of view especially in view of the small size of the study. The overall conclusion was that Viagra and Cialis may be responsible for a reduction in blood flow in the optic nerve causing damage to the nerve tissue, and that the impotence drugs could also increase the chance of NAION in men with vascular diseases. Loss of vision, temporary or otherwise after using Viagra or Cialis should be reported immediately to medical authorities.