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Viagra And Cialis Can Increase The Risk Of Eye Damage

According to scientists in the U.S. erectile dysfunction drugs such as Viagra and Cialis can increase the risk of eye damage in men who have a history of heart disease or high blood pressure.

The researchers at the University of Alabama, say their small study found that men who had suffered a heart attack were 10 times more likely to have optic nerve damage if they had been taking either of the top two erectile dysfunction pills. Dr Gerald McGwin, who headed the study, says for patients with a history of heart attack, they saw a strong and significant link between the use of Viagra and/or Cialis and an increased risk of Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischaemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION).

NAION, is the most common cause of acute optic nerve disease in people over 50 years old and can cause permanent loss of vision in one or both eyes. Viagra and Cialis, are currently the leading erectile dysfunction treatments, and millions of men worldwide have used them since the treatments were first launched.

In the study McGwin and his team questioned 76 men, half of whom suffered from NAION, who were treated at a specialist eye clinic in the United States, about their smoking and drinking habits and use of the erectile dysfunction pills. The researchers found that men who had had a heart attack were 10 times more likely to have optic nerve damage if they had taken the anti-impotence drugs.

In May 2005 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the U.S. said it had received more than 40 reports of NAION involving impotence drugs but had not determined whether the treatments were responsible. According to Pfizer a review of 103 Viagra clinical trials involving more than 13,000 patients found no reports of NAION, but the company has nevertheless updated the labels on Viagra. Eli Lilly has also changed its labels on Cialis.

McGwin and his team say patients with heart disease or high blood pressure should be warned about the elevated risk of NAION when taking anti-impotence pills.