title: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Northwell Health, 600 Northern Boulevard, Suite 214, Great Neck, NY 11021, USA. Electronic address: hpomeran@northwell.edu.
authors.forename: Howard D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Pomeranz
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D018917:Optic Neuropathy, Ischemic / Q000139:chemically induced*; D058986:Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced
chemical_list: D058986:Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors
keywords: Erectile dysfunction drug; Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy; Pfizer; Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor; Sildenafil; Tadalafil; Vardenafil