Diseases & Conditions Blog

Viagra Linked to Blindness - Monday, August 6, 2007

Viagra (generic sildenafil citrate) is prescribed for the treatment of erectile dysfunction and is manufactured by Pfizer Pharmaceutical Company. ED (erectile dysfunction) is the repeated inability to get or maintain an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse. Viagra increases the body's ability to achieve and maintain an erection during sexual activity. Viagra was first introduced in the United States in 1998 and has become one of the most well-known drugs of all time.

But for two years now there has been an alarming number of men reporting vision problems and blindness after taking Viagra.

Viagra has been a generally well-tolerated drug, but there are side effects associated with the drug including: headache, flushing, upset stomach, urinary tract infection, diarrhea, stuffy nose.

Viagra Blindness

But for two years now there has been an alarming number of men reporting vision problems and even complete blindness after taking Viagra. Viagra blindness is a potentially devastating side effect that has been under investigation by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Viagra blindness is caused by a condition called nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). This causes a restriction in blood flow to the optic nerve, which can lead to temporary or permanent vision loss.

NAION is the most common form of blindness that can affect people over the age of fifty. It is estimated that approximately six thousand Americans suffer from NAION blindness each year. NAION blindness is caused by the restriction of blood flow through the optic nerve to the eye. This leads to inflammation of the optic disc, compressing the optic nerve until NAION blindness occurs. NAION blindness is sometimes referred to as a “stroke of the eye” because the blood supply to the eyes is cut off with NAION just as the blood supply to the brain is cut off during a stroke.

Pfizer has refuted claims that the drug caused vision problems, and, instead, states that some of the underlying causes and conditions related to erectile dysfunction may also predispose an individual to developing serious vision problems.

If you would like to learn more about this potentially dangerous drug and its link to NAION blindness, please visit the website of the experienced Viagra Attorneys at the Oklahoma Law Offices of Stipe, Harper, Laizure, Uselton, Belote, Maxcey and Thetford.