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Case Reports
. 2012:2012:747658.
doi: 10.1155/2012/747658. Epub 2012 Mar 19.

Bilateral simultaneous nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy after ingestion of sildenafil for erectile dysfunction

Anna Tarantini  1 , Alessandra Faraoni, Francesca Menchini, Paolo Lanzetta
Affiliations
Case Reports

Bilateral simultaneous nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy after ingestion of sildenafil for erectile dysfunction

Anna Tarantini et al. Case Rep Med. 2012.

Abstract

Purpose. To describe a patient who developed bilateral, simultaneous nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) after ingestion of Sildenafil citrate (Viagra) for erectile dysfunction. Methods. Observational case report. Results. A 60-year-old diabetic man noted sudden decrease of vision in both eyes 16 hours after his third consecutive 50 mg daily Sildenafil ingestion. A diagnosis of bilateral NAION was made and he was treated for three days with methylprednisolone 1 g/d intravenously, followed by oral prednisone 75 mg/d. Final visual acuity was 20/50 right eye (OD) and 20/20 left eye (OS). He had preexisting diabetes. Conclusion. This is the first reported case of simultaneous bilateral NAION occurred in a diabetic patient early after Sildenafil intake. Patients with predisposing conditions such as diabetes have to be warned against the use of PDE inhibitors.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Color fundus photo of OD (a) and OS (b) with optic disc edema and peripapillary nerve fiber layer hemorrhages (a, b) and peripapillary cotton wool spots (b).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Optical coherence tomography shows subretinal fluid in the macula in OD.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Test results of Humphrey visual field. Superior altitudinal and central defects OD (a) and inferior altitudinal defect OS (b).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Fluorescein angiography shows late dye leakage in both eyes (a, b).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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