Popular Erectile Dysfunction Drug Linked to Eye Disease That Can Cause Irreversible Vision Loss
A drug used to treat erectile dysfunction and enlarged prostate symptoms may raise the risk of glaucoma, a serious eye condition that can cause gradual vision loss, according to new research.
Research Details
An international team of researchers analyzed health records from nearly 74,000 men ages 40 and older with lower urinary tract symptoms to examine whether long-term tadalafil use was associated with a greater risk of glaucoma.
The study, published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, compared about 37,000 men prescribed tadalafil with a similar group who did not use phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors, the drug class that includes Cialis.
Researchers followed the men for up to five years and looked for new cases of glaucoma and high pressure inside the eye, along with whether patients needed treatment for glaucoma.
Findings
Men who used tadalafil were 22% more likely to develop glaucoma than those who did not use the drug.
Vision loss can be irreversible if glaucoma goes untreated.
Conclusion (quoted)
"These findings suggest a potential association between long-term use of PDE5 inhibitors and increased risk of glaucoma," said lead study author Dr. Kelly McGreal.