J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2003 Dec;44(12):2804-2810.

The Changes on Electroretinogram Following Sildenafil Ingestion

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Ophthalmology, Kosin University College of Medicine, Gospel Hospital, Pusan, Korea. shdkim@ns.kosinmed.co.kr

Abstract

PURPOSE
Sildenafil citrate (Viagra(R)) acts as a relatively specific inhibitor of the type 5 phosphodiesterase isoenzyme (PDE5) in the corpus cavernosum. But, it also has a mild inhibitory effect on PDE6 in the retinal photoreceptor. Therefore, we studied the ocular side effects of sildenafil. METHODS: We tested the visual acuity, intraocular pressure, color vision, visual evoked potential (VEP), electroretinogram (ERG), anterior segment and fundus appearance. All tests were done before and after medication of 50 mg and 100 mg sildenafil, respectively. RESULTS: There was no significant effect of sildenafil on visual acuity, intraocular pressure, color vision, VEP, anterior segment and fundus appearance. ERG changes after 50 mg sildenafil were not significant. The a-wave amplitude of the maximal combined response after 100 mg sildenafil showed significant changes (p=0.021). The b-wave amplitude of the maximal combined response after 100 mg sildenafil showed changes with borderline significance (p=0.059). CONCLUSIONS: In considering the fact that even single dose of 100 mg sildenafil showed changes on ERG, it seems that retinal function in patients receiving sildenafil for a longer period, especially in patients with underlying vascular abnormalities should be monitored by clinical and electrophysiologic tests.

Keyword

Electroretinogram; Ocular complications; Sildenafil

MeSH Terms

Citric Acid
Color Vision
Eating*
Evoked Potentials, Visual
Humans
Intraocular Pressure
Photoreceptor Cells, Vertebrate
Retinaldehyde
Visual Acuity
Sildenafil Citrate
Citric Acid
Retinaldehyde
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