Erectile Dysfunction Agents and Nonarteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy

Abstract

Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE5I) are used for treatment of erectile dysfunction and pulmonary arterial hypertension and have been implicated as a causative factor for development of nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). Controversy remains regarding a cause and effect between PDE5I use and NAION because the mechanism by which NAION occurs is still not well understood. Because neuro-ophthalmologists have accepted that there is a potential relationship between ingestion of the PDE5I class of medications and NAION, the neuro-ophthalmologist should inquire about PDE5I use when evaluating a patient with a new diagnosis of NAION, and counsel patients regarding the implication of continued use of PDE5I.

Keywords: Erectile dysfunction drug; Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy; Pfizer; Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor; Sildenafil; Tadalafil; Vardenafil.