Gone Too Hard? Regular Erectile Dysfunction Drug Use Raises Risk of Vision Loss, Study Finds
It doesn't just affect systems below the belt.
Researchers have identified a potential link between long-term use of tadalafil, a common erectile dysfunction medication, and an increased risk of glaucoma. The study analyzed health records from over 36,000 men aged 40 and older who took the drug regularly for at least three months, comparing them with a matched group who did not use the medication. Over a five-year period, glaucoma developed in approximately 3.93 percent of tadalafil users compared to 3.16 percent of non-users.
While the researchers described this difference as a 22 percent increase in relative risk, the actual gap between groups was less than one percentage point. The same pattern appeared for related eye conditions, including abnormally high eye pressure and primary open-angle glaucoma, though no significant increase was found for other glaucoma types.
Tadalafil belongs to a class of drugs called phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors, which work by relaxing muscles and widening blood vessels. These compounds are present in multiple parts of the eye, including the retina and optic nerve. Researchers theorize that widened blood vessels may increase pressure-producing fluid in the eye, potentially damaging the optic nerve over time in susceptible individuals.
However, the study cannot definitively prove tadalafil causes glaucoma, as it was observational in nature. Patients currently taking the medication should not stop without consulting their doctor. Those with glaucoma risk factors may want to discuss regular eye monitoring with their healthcare provider.
Originally reported by Sciencealert →
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