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. 2013 Oct;27(4):241-6.
doi: 10.1016/j.sjopt.2013.07.010. Epub 2013 Jul 22.

Sequential, non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy in patients taking sildenafil: a report of ten cases

Alberto Galvez-Ruiz  1 , Nawal Arishi  1
Affiliations

Sequential, non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy in patients taking sildenafil: a report of ten cases

Alberto Galvez-Ruiz et al. Saudi J Ophthalmol. 2013 Oct.

Abstract

Aim/purpose: To present a summary of 10 cases of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) in patients who received phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5) inhibitors.

Methods: A case series of 10 patients who, after regular intake of Sildenafil, presented with a first episode of NAION in one eye. NAION was diagnosed based on the following criteria: acute, painless, unilateral loss of vision, fundus features consistent with NAION and exclusion of other possible causes.

Results: Despite the initial adverse event (first episode of NAION), all of these patients continued to use the medication and developed a second episode of NAION in the contralateral eye. Only one of the 10 patients presented with bilateral simultaneous NAION.

Conclusion: This largest case series published to date, reinforces the general consensus that PDE-5 inhibitors are contraindicated in patients with a history of unilateral NAION.

Keywords: Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy; Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors; Sildenafil.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Fundoscopy of 10 patients from the clinical series showing the appearance of the optic nerve OU after episodes of non-arteritic, ischemic optic neuropathy. A. OD. B. OS.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Visual campimetry OU in 10 patients, presented after episodes of non-arteritic, anterior, ischemic optic neuropathy. A. OD. B. OS.
None
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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