Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2016 Oct 19:8:3407-3413.
doi: 10.2147/DDDT.S118015. eCollection 2016.

Pathophysiology of visual disorders induced by phosphodiesterase inhibitors in the treatment of erectile dysfunction

Marilita M Moschos  1 , Eirini Nitoda  1
Affiliations
Review

Pathophysiology of visual disorders induced by phosphodiesterase inhibitors in the treatment of erectile dysfunction

Marilita M Moschos et al. Drug Des Devel Ther. .

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this review was to summarize the ocular action of the most common phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction and the subsequent visual disorders.

Method: This is a literature review of several important articles focusing on the pathophysiology of visual disorders induced by PDE inhibitors.

Results: PDE inhibitors have been associated with ocular side effects, including changes in color vision and light perception, blurred vision, transient alterations in electroretinogram (ERG), conjunctival hyperemia, ocular pain, and photophobia. Sildenafil and tadalafil may induce reversible increase in intraocular pressure and be involved in the development of non-arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy. Reversible idiopathic serous macular detachment, central serous chorioretinopathy, and ERG disturbances have been related to the significant impact of sildenafil and tadalafil on retinal perfusion.

Discussion: So far, PDE inhibitors do not seem to cause permanent toxic effects on chorioretinal tissue and photoreceptors. However, physicians should write down any visual symptom observed during PDE treatment and refer the patients to ophthalmologists.

Keywords: PDE5; erectile dysfunction; pathophysiological mechanisms; phosphodiesterase inhibitors; visual disorders.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

References

    1. Shindel A, Brant WO, Bochinski D, Bella AJ, Lue TF. Medical and surgical therapy of erectile dysfunction. In: De Groot LJ, Beck-Peccoz P, Chrousos G, et al., editors. Endotext [Internet] South Dartmouth (MA): MDText.com, Inc.; 2000.
    1. Goldstein I, Lue TF, Padma-Nathan H, Rosen RC, Steers WD, Wicker PA. Oral sildenafil in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Sildenafil Study Group. N Engl J Med. 1998;338:1397–1404. - PubMed
    1. Omori K, Kotera J. Overview of PDE and their regulation. Circ Res. 2007;100:309. - PubMed
    1. Beavo JA. Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases: functional implications of multiple isoforms. Physiol Rev. 1995;75:725–748. - PubMed
    1. Diederen RM, La Heij EC, Markerink-van Ittersum M, Kijlstra A, Hendrikse F, de Vente J. Selective blockade of phosphodiesterase types 2, 5 and 9 results in cyclic 3′5′ guanosine monophosphate accumulation in retinal pigment epithelium cells. Br J Ophthalmol. 2007;91(3):379–384. - PMC - PubMed

MeSH terms

Substances