Purpose:To describe a patient who developed bilateral, simultaneous nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) after ingestion of Sildenafil citrate (Viagra) for erectile dysfunction.
Methods:Observational case report.
Results:A 60-year-old diabetic man noted sudden decrease of vision in both eyes 16 hours after his third consecutive 50 mg daily Sildenafil ingestion. A diagnosis of bilateral NAION was made and he was treated for three days with methylprednisolone 1 g/d intravenously, followed by oral prednisone 75 mg/d. Final visual acuity was 20/50 right eye (OD) and 20/20 left eye (OS). He had preexisting diabetes.
Conclusion: This is the first reported case of simultaneous bilateral NAION occurred in a diabetic patient early after Sildenafil intake. Patients with predisposing conditions such as diabetes have to be warned against the use of PDE inhibitors.
Written by:
Tarantini A, Faraoni A, Menchini F, Lanzetta P. Are you the author?
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Udine, 33100 Udine, Italy.
Reference: Case Report Med. 2012;2012:747658.
doi: 10.1155/2012/747658
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 22481954
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