Erectile Dysfunction Agents and Nonarteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy
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Updated: Mar 11, 2026

The Rodent Model of Nonarteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy rNAION
Published on: November 20, 2016
1Department of Ophthalmology, Northwell Health, 600 Northern Boulevard, Suite 214, Great Neck, NY 11021, USA.
Abstract:
Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE5I) are used for treatment of erectile dysfunction and pulmonary arterial hypertension and have been implicated as a causative factor for development of nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). Controversy remains regarding a cause and effect between PDE5I use and NAION because the mechanism by which NAION occurs is still not well understood. Because neuro-ophthalmologists have accepted that there is a potential relationship between ingestion of the PDE5I class of medications and NAION, the neuro-ophthalmologist should inquire about PDE5I use when evaluating a patient with a new diagnosis of NAION, and counsel patients regarding the implication of continued use of PDE5I.
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