Many men who experience difficulties with sexual intercourse use medications to improve their erectile dysfunction, for example Sildenafil, Tadalafil, Vardenafil and Avanafil. Taking these medications can cause serious vision impairment. This information comes from a new study by the University of British Columbia. The researchers used data obtained from the US health insurance system. The participants were 213,000 men who, before starting regular use of erectile dysfunction medication, had no problem with their vision. Comparisons were made between the number of men who developed one or more disorders of the visual system with those who did not use the specific type of medicinal substances. Factors that increase the risk of visual changes, such as hypertension, diabetes and coronary disease, were taken into account in this analysis. The researchers concluded that after regular consumption of erectile dysfunction medication, the risk of retinal detachment increased almost threefold, and the risk of retinal vascular occlusion and ischemic optic neuropathy also doubled. The study does not reveal a specific connection in the mechanism by which the respective disorders occur and the intake of medicinal substances – Sildenafil, Tadalafil, Vardenafil or Avanafil. Only a statistical one has been revealed. The main way drugs help with erectile dysfunction is by improving blood flow. By doing so, they can impede blood flow to other parts of the body. Therefore, despite the lack of specific cause and effect, there is a mechanism by which these medicinal substances could lead to the corresponding visual disturbances. For this reason, it is very important that men who take medication for erectile dysfunction consult a specialist when changes in normal vision occur. A characteristic manifestation of retinal detachment is the appearance of flashes and spots in the field of vision, while with its vascular occlusion there is a sudden loss of vision or its blurring. In ischemic optic neuropathy, the normal blood flow of the optic nerve is disrupted, which disrupts its nutrition. This problem leads to vision loss. It is important that men taking these medications are informed of possible side effects. In this way, when something atypical appears in their health, they can consult the relevant specialist to prevent serious and permanent disorders. The study was published in JAMA Ophthalmology on April 7, 2022. References: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaophthalmology/article-abstract/2790661