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Study: Erectile dysfunction drug increases ocular blood flow
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A drug that treats erectile dysfunction causes a significant increase in ocular blood flow, according to a study.
Murat Koksal and colleagues conducted a prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to investigate the effects of sildenafil on blood flow in ocular arteries. In the study, 20 participants with erectile dysfunction were each given a single oral dose of 100 mg sildenafil; 10 participants with erectile dysfunction were given a placebo.
The researchers evaluated all participants through systemic and ophthalmological examinations.
IOP, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and ocular blood flow were measured in both eyes before and 1 hour after the dose of sildenafil or placebo. Color Doppler ultrasonography was used to measure ocular blood flow.
Central retinal artery velocities were not changed, according to the study results, but ophthalmic artery and short posterior ciliary artery peak systolic velocity, end-diastolic velocity and mean velocity values were significantly increased 1 hour after sildenafil intake compared to the placebo group (P < .05).
The researchers recommended further studies to investigate the effects of sildenafil on ocular blood flow in patients who have macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma.
The study was published in Acta Ophthalmologica Scandinavica.