In an article published at the end of September in the scientific journal Journal of Medical Case Reports, Iranian doctors described the case of a 32-year-old patient who lost vision in one eye after taking a high dose of sildenafil, the main component of Viagra.
The man, who was not identified, took 100 grams of the substance, twice the amount recommended for patients with erectile dysfunction. He lost his vision shortly after taking the medicine, and went directly to the hospital — however, the damage was so extensive that it was considered irreversible.
According to doctors, the man had a clot in the artery and veins that transfer blood to his right eye. The main consequence was swelling of the retina and macular edema, which happens when blood enters the tissue. With the pressure caused by the thrombus, the retina detached from the rest of the eye.
Viagra x eye problems
The man was healthy and had no personal or family history of clotting problems. Sildenafil works by relaxing the blood vessels in the penis, allowing blood to flow to the organ. Doctors say the Iranian’s case shows that the medicine can also have an effect on the eyes.
“Several serious cases of retinal accidents caused by vascular problems have already been reported due to the use of the substance, but it is still not clear what exactly the role of the medicine is in the situation”, write those responsible for the article. The main theory is that the drug damaged the sensitive vessels of the eye, causing the retinal problem.
Doctors suggest that the scientific community study the subject to understand the relationship between Viagra and eye problems, especially in young men.
In an article published at the end of September in the scientific journal Journal of Medical Case Reports, Iranian doctors described the case of a 32-year-old patient who lost vision in one eye after taking a high dose of sildenafil, the main component of Viagra.
The man, who was not identified, took 100 grams of the substance, twice the amount recommended for patients with erectile dysfunction. He lost his vision shortly after taking the medicine, and went directly to the hospital — however, the damage was so extensive that it was considered irreversible.
According to doctors, the man had a clot in the artery and veins that transfer blood to his right eye. The main consequence was swelling of the retina and macular edema, which happens when blood enters the tissue. With the pressure caused by the thrombus, the retina detached from the rest of the eye.
Viagra x eye problems
The man was healthy and had no personal or family history of clotting problems. Sildenafil works by relaxing the blood vessels in the penis, allowing blood to flow to the organ. Doctors say the Iranian’s case shows that the medicine can also have an effect on the eyes.
“Several serious cases of retinal accidents caused by vascular problems have already been reported due to the use of the substance, but it is still not clear what exactly the role of the medicine is in the situation”, write those responsible for the article. The main theory is that the drug damaged the sensitive vessels of the eye, causing the retinal problem.
Doctors suggest that the scientific community study the subject to understand the relationship between Viagra and eye problems, especially in young men.
