Al-Marsad newspaper: A recent study revealed that men who take Viagra are more likely to suffer from vision problems, which can lead to blindness.
This came after Canadian researchers analyzed data on 213,000 men taking erectile dysfunction drugs. By about 64 years of age, none of the men had eye problems before they became regular users of the drug.
The researchers found that the risk of regular users of four common sex drugs, Viagra, Cialis, Levitra and Stendra, developing a serious eye condition increased by 85%, according to Russia Today.
The research study, published in the journal JAMA Ophthalmology, showed that erectile dysfunction pills are associated with:
– Serous retinal detachment (in which patients suffer from floaters in their field of vision).
Blocked blood vessels in the retina (this eye condition can lead to a sudden, painless decrease in vision).
Ischemic optic neuropathy (blood does not flow properly to the optic nerve resulting in permanent damage in which a person suddenly loses sight in one or both eyes).
The study’s lead researcher, Dr Mahyar Etminan of the University of British Columbia, warned of a “strong link” between the three eye problems and the medications, and urged users to “seek medical attention” if they experience any vision changes.
The new research found that those taking Viagra had a 2.6 times increased risk of serous retinal detachment, a double risk of ischemic optic neuropathy, and a 44% increase in retinal vascular occlusions.
A spokesperson for the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said: “Sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil and avanafil are important medications for the management of ED, and use of these products is known to be associated with a risk of visual problems.