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Subjective visual halos after sildenafil (Viagra) administration: Electroretinographic evaluation
C B Gabrieli1, F Regine, E M Vingolo
1Institute of Ophthalmology, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
Ophthalmology
|April 26, 2001
Summary
Sildenafil (Viagra) use can temporarily enhance rod vision sensitivity and response to light stimuli. This effect is linked to sildenafil
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pharmacology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Sildenafil is a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor.
- Visual disturbances have been anecdotally reported after sildenafil use.
Observation:
- Ophthalmologic examination and electroretinography (ERG) were performed on a subject experiencing visual disturbances post-sildenafil.
- ERG assessed rod responses across varying light intensities to determine the intensity-amplitude function.
Findings:
- Sildenafil administration resulted in a higher maximal response (Vmax) and increased rod sensitivity (lower K value) in the Naka-Rushton function.
- These changes indicate an enhanced rod response to light stimuli.
Implications:
- The observed effects suggest a temporary enhancement of rod photoreceptor function.
- Findings align with sildenafil's weak inhibition of phosphodiesterase-6 (PDE-6) in the retina.
- This provides insight into the ocular side effects of sildenafil.