New Study And Viagra's Link With NAION

Written by JDPGlobal | Wednesday, 08 February 2006

New research suggests that blindness due to impotency drugs may increase for men with high BP and heart patients. The study mentioned in the Journal of Ophthalmology shows the connection between blindness and impotency. Often it is blindness of one eye and is known as non-arteritic ischaemic optic neuropathy (Naion). The study mentioned that patients should know the risks involved with impotency drugs.

The drug manufacturers say that the study is not reliable as it is very small and say that the links between Naion and erectile dysfunction have few risk factors. It is unknown if it is the drugs or the conditions that are to be blamed. The FDA has investigated 38 blindness cases among Viagra users and 4 people among Cialis users. They upgraded the labels in the drugs and cautioned people to consult a doctor if they suffered decreased vision.

The FDA said that it was difficult to determine if it were the oral medicines that cause vision loss or whether it was other factors like high blood pressure or diabetes. Recent studies were conducted in Alabama University on 76 eye patients. They were asked about their lifestyle and medical history if they ever had heart attacks or high blood pressure or diabetes. The patients were also asked if they consumed Viagra or Cialis.

The researchers team did not find any risk with Naion among the group of patients. There was a significant amount of risk for Viagra and Cialis users who have experienced heart attacks or high blood pressure. They suggested that Viagra or Cialis stops blood flow to the optic nerve and therefore could cause decreased vision.

The journal also mentioned that most of the decreased vision cases occurred within 24 hours of taking the drug. There was no sexual intercourse after consuming the drug and therefore no physical exertion took place. Thus, sexual intercourse cannot be blamed for loss of vision. However, more research is required.

Urologist experts say that the drug might prove harmful for people who have taken nitrate-based medicines for angina pain. Even patients who have had a heart attack are asked not to take the drug. Patients who are experiencing eye sight problems should consult a doctor immediately and not continue with the drug.

A nurse counsellor for erectile dysfunction called it rare when a person experiences loss of vision due to Viagra. She exclaimed that it is momentary and the effect is lost soon. One Viagra user said that he experienced headaches in the morning but not heart problems. However, if he experienced heartaches or loss of vision he would stop taking the drug.

Manufacturers of Cialis said that study is limited in its approach. The study depended on the recall capacity and maybe biased. Viagra manufacturers too said that blindness would be rare. They said that high blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol are linked to ED and Naoin anyway.