Monday May 4 2:07 PM EDT
Viagra May Cause Vision Changes
NEW YORK (Reuters) -- Viagra, the pill recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the
treatment of impotence, can cause short-term vision changes, warns the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
"FDA clinical trials show that taking the medication, especially at higher doses, can cause some retinal dysfunction and
affect the way we see for a number of hours," said Academy spokesperson Dr. Michael F. Marmor, a professor of
ophthalmology at Stanford University in California.
Some men report seeing a blue tinge and light sensitivity after taking the drug. "On the surface, seeing the world with a
bluish tinge may just be annoying," said Marmor in a statement issued by the Academy. But he notes that it is still not
known if the drug causes permanent changes in vision. One clinical study showed that the drug's effects on retinal function
could last 5 hours or more. "We need to do some studies about the long-term effects of taking Viagra," commented
Marmor.
In the meantime, Marmor advises patients with eye diseases affecting the retina, such as macular degeneration or retinitis
pigmentosa, to use the drug with caution and stay at the lowest dose possible.
"According to the FDA, the recommended dose level for most patients is 50 milligrams," according to the Academy
statement. |
