Visual side effects associated with erectile dysfunction agents.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the known ocular side effects of agents used to treat erectile dysfunction.


METHODS
Retrospective observational case series and literature review.


METHODS
We reviewed 892 case reports from the National Registry of Drug-Induced Ocular Side Effects (Casey Eye Institute, Portland, Oregon), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the World Health Organization (WHO) and conducted a comprehensive review of the literature.


RESULTS
Ocular side effects of these drugs appear fully reversible and transitory.


CONCLUSIONS
To date, evidence does not exist to discourage use of erectile dysfunction agents attributable to harmful ocular side effects. Ischemic optic neuropathy (ION) is "possible" by WHO classification, however, conclusive evidence linking ION to erectile dysfunction medications is still lacking.
Fraunfelder
Frederick W
FW
Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239-4197, USA. fraunfer@ohsu.edu
D015106:3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D016907:Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018917:Optic Neuropathy, Ischemic / Q000139:chemically induced; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014481:United States; D014486:United States Food and Drug Administration; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced*; D014944:World Health Organization
D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; D015106:3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases