Acute effects of sldenafil ctrate (Viagra) on intraocular pressure in open-angle glaucoma

To assess the acute effects of sildenafil citrate (VIAGRA) on the intraocular pressure (IOP) of patients with chronic open-angle glaucoma.

This was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study, in which 15 patients received a single oral dose of sildenafil 100 mg or matching placebo on two separate occasions.

Fifteen subjects aged 63 +/- 14 years (mean +/- SD) with bilateral chronic open-angle glaucoma were administered a single oral dose of sildenafil 100 mg or matching placebo on two separate occasions at least 3 days apart. IOP was measured in both eyes by Goldmann ap-planation tonometry at baseline and then at 1-5 hours after dosing. Brachial artery systolic and diastolic blood pressures were determined by sphygmomanometry, and heart rate was also monitored at baseline and 1-5 hours after dosing.

Compared with placebo, no statistically or clinically significant change in IOP was detected after a single dose of sildenafil 100 mg (P =.20). Moreover, no significant change in mean systemic blood pressure (P =.12) or heart rate (P =.72) was detected after treatment with sildenafil.

At the maximum therapeutic dose of 100 mg, sildenafil did not produce any significant acute change in IOP in men with chronic open-angle glaucoma. This information is of importance for patients with glaucoma receiving sildenafil for treatment of erectile dysfunction.