Viagra and Vision Loss

Viagra - the magic blue pill - captured the imagination of the planet when the US Food and medicines Administration (FDA) approved it because the initial prescribed drug for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED)or male impotence. The male patients stricken by sexual dysfunction and their partners have expressed enhanced pleasure attributable to Viagra.

Amidst all the hoopla that Viagra generated significantly among the impotent men and their partners, there came some disturbing reports of permanent vision loss to some men once taking Viagra. It all started in 2000 when a University of Minnesota ophthalmologist reported the primary case of Viagra vision loss. Seven patients, aged between fifty and sixty nine years, showed typical options of NAION at intervals thirty six hours once taking Viagra.

Non-Arteritic Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION) - conjointly referred to as "stroke of the attention," - happens when blood flow is bring to an end to the optic nerve, that injures the nerve and leads to permanent vision loss. This constriction could bring to an end the blood flow to the optic nerve - particularly in folks with an occasional cup to disk ratio where the blood vessels and nerves are tightly bundled - so provoking NAION.

FDA's Take
The FDA is currently investigating fifty cases of Viagra vision loss in men who have taken Viagra. In its statement dated July eight, 2005, the FDA suggested patients "to stop taking these medicines (Viagra, Levitra and ,Cialis), and decision a doctor or healthcare supplier quickly if they expertise sudden or decreased vision loss in one or each eyes.

Pfizer's Take
Pfizer Inc. - the manufacturers of Viagra - has shot back and claimed that none of the 103 clinical trials of Viagra showed any signs of NAION. the majority had health issues as well as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, and a history of smoking. These men experienced partial loss of central and/or peripheral vision. One man had issues in each eyes.