Glaucoma Disease

Viagra and Cialis' Connection to Blindness Investigated

Question:

Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AION) is not similar to glaucoma in symptoms or etiology.  AION is very much like a stroke to the optic nerve that causes immediate and usually permanent visual loss (although not complete…patients are often 20/400, and the loss may only involve the upper or lower half of the vision).  This is from blockage of bloodflow to the optic nerve in the tiny, microscopic vessels that bring blood to the nerve head.  It is common in elderly patients with hypertension and/or diabetes (usually the same group who use Viagra). The optic nerve will look swollen but not cupped out as in glaucoma. IOP is seldom if ever a factor in AION.  AION almost always occurs in one eye only.      Conversely, the vision loss from glaucoma is usually rather slow (over many years), is often but not always associated with elevation in IOP, and may not be noticed by the patient until advanced loss has occured.  There is often no significant association with systemic hypertension.  As many of these articles on Viagra have mentioned, it is hard to say if there is a true cause and effect between Viagra use and AION.  This is because many of those who use Viagra have the same risk factors for developing AION.  This will need to be studied further.  Meanwhile, remember that the number of cases of AION have been relatively few compared to the millions who use these drugs in this country.  I know if I needed Viagra to have a better sexlife, I wouldn’t be throwing away my little blue pills just yet. Hope that was useful. –Rick Cohn, MD Glaucoma Specialist

Response:

In article <1117497318.853728.149…@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>, – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text - eyegu…@aol.com wrote: > Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AION) is not similar to glaucoma in > symptoms or etiology.  AION is very much like a stroke to the optic > nerve that causes immediate and usually permanent visual loss (although > not complete…patients are often 20/400, and the loss may only involve > the upper or lower half of the vision).  This is from blockage of > bloodflow to the optic nerve in the tiny, microscopic vessels that > bring blood to the nerve head.  It is common in elderly patients with > hypertension and/or diabetes (usually the same group who use Viagra). > The optic nerve will look swollen but not cupped out as in glaucoma. > IOP is seldom if ever a factor in AION.  AION almost always occurs in > one eye only. >      Conversely, the vision loss from glaucoma is usually rather slow > (over many years), is often but not always associated with elevation in > IOP, and may not be noticed by the patient until advanced loss has > occured.  There is often no significant association with systemic > hypertension.  As many of these articles on Viagra have mentioned, it > is hard to say if there is a true cause and effect between Viagra use > and AION.  This is because many of those who use Viagra have the same > risk factors for developing AION.  This will need to be studied > further.  Meanwhile, remember that the number of cases of AION have > been relatively few compared to the millions who use these drugs in > this country.  I know if I needed Viagra to have a better sexlife, I > wouldn’t be throwing away my little blue pills just yet. > Hope that was useful. > –Rick Cohn, MD > Glaucoma Specialist

* Dr. Cohn — Thanks for your usual explanation of a complex subject. I have a suggestion:  When you post to alt.support.glaucoma you should send a copy of your posting to:    glauc…@yahoogroups.com This would then appear on the Glaucoma mailing list that Yahoo maintains.  Dr. Robert Ritch is the resident Guru there, but he is extremely busy and could use a little help! Many thanks!  Keep up the good work. earle * Diagnosed in 1970 — tried every drop in the book.  Bilateral trabs about six years ago — now age 74 with IOP 15/17 (with no drops) and acuity 20:20 with one diopter of correction.

Response:

The FDA reported that a small number of men (49) who took Viagra and 1 who took cialis developed non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy. From the AP News Quote: > It can occur in men who are diabetic or have heart disease, the same

conditions that can cause impotence and thus lead to Viagra use. That neuropathy is a disease whose symptoms are not dissimilar to glaucoma, although the etiology is presumed different. All of us men taking drops to resolve high IOP should be aware of the possible effects of ED drugs, particularly if we have already had some nerve damage. My very non-professional opinion is that extensive daily aerobic exercise not only lowers IOP (published data supports that) but also substantially reduces or eliminates age related ED (personal anecdotal evidence, I know of no published study to support this claim). Exercise sure beats taking drugs, and you are never too old to start excercising!  

Response:

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