What Chances are There that You Will Go Blind if You Use Viagra

While the US FDA is currently investigating links between Viagra and blindness, there is still not enough conclusive evidence to prove that Viagra actually causes NAION or non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, a particular type of blindness which is caused by the lack of blood flow to the eyes, as the optic nerves get swollen.

It is thought that since Viagra works by altering blood flow to the male sexual organ, some specialists believe that it temporarily affects circulation to other parts of the body, including the optic nerve, resulting in permanent eye damage and or blindness.

Pfizer, the manufacturer of Viagra is presently in talks with the FDA to consider revising the labeling of Viagra, to indicate that its usage may lead to blindness in rare cases. However at the same time Pfizer also claims that the risk factors of NAION are common in the age group of Viagra users. The pharmaceutical giant goes on to state that NAION is no more common in men taking Viagra than in those not taking it, and that the risk factors for vision loss are almost the same that lead to erectile dysfunction (ED). These risk factors include; being over the age of 50, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.

While federal health officials are still probing into a report that over 50 men using Viagra became blind, they are simultaneously cautioning that vision loss can be linked to the same illnesses that generally lead to impotence. Though few serious side effects have been found in Viagra users, the possible risk of blindness is among the most serious to have been recently discovered. Researchers from the University of Minnesota believe that they have detected a group men suffering from blindness who have been Viagra users. However it must be taken into context that blindness has occurred in around 50 men only, with over 23 million Viagra users, most of whom have experienced significant benefits by using this drug.

So what are the chances that you will go blind if you use Viagra? The answer at the moment is uncertain, as the relationship between Viagra and blindness has yet to be proved on a large scale. While caution is advised while using Viagra, it should be noted that people with erectile dysfunction should always consult their doctor before taking this drug as it is a prescription medication. Viagra does have serious side effects and should absolutely not be taken with any nitrate medication as it can lead to a sudden drop in blood pressure causing a stroke or even resulting in death.

Viagra is a serious drug and should be treated as such. It is only meant for people with erectile dysfunction and should not be used for recreational purposes. Viagra’s warning label already cautions of certain cardiac risks and vision problems, such as blurred vision, vision with a bluish tinge and sensitivity to light.

According to Pfizer, most of the reported cases in which NAION has occurred in men taking Viagra have involved patients with underlying anatomic risk factors associated with the development of this disease. This therefore makes it impossible to clearly determine whether these events are caused by a patient's underlying risk factors, Viagra or a combination of these or other factors.