BACKGROUND: The cardiovascular effects of sildenafil (Viagra), a selective inhibitor of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5), have been extensively studied. However, its effect on human retinal arteries and veins has not yet been investigated. The effect of a single dose administration of sildenafil on the retinal vessel diameters of healthy subjects was evaluated. METHODS: Sildenafil 50 mg was administered to 10 healthy subjects (male:female = 4:6; mean age 31 (SD 6) years). The diameters of retinal arteries and veins were measured by means of a retinal vessel analyser (RVA) immediately before and at 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes after sildenafil uptake. Blood pressure, heart rate, and intraocular pressure were monitored in parallel. RESULTS: A significant increase of 5.8% (p<0.001) in both retinal arterial and venous diameters was found 30 minutes after sildenafil uptake. The diameters returned to baseline after 120 minutes. A mild systemic hypotensive response was seen. Changes in heart rate and intraocular pressure were not observed. CONCLUSION: Sildenafil causes a significant dilatation of retinal arteries and veins in healthy subjects. A possible role for PDE5 in the regulation of retinal blood flow is implicated.
BACKGROUND: The cardiovascular effects of sildenafil (Viagra), a selective inhibitor of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5), have been extensively studied. However, its effect on human retinal arteries and veins has not yet been investigated. The effect of a single dose administration of sildenafil on the retinal vessel diameters of healthy subjects was evaluated. METHODS:Sildenafil 50 mg was administered to 10 healthy subjects (male:female = 4:6; mean age 31 (SD 6) years). The diameters of retinal arteries and veins were measured by means of a retinal vessel analyser (RVA) immediately before and at 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes after sildenafil uptake. Blood pressure, heart rate, and intraocular pressure were monitored in parallel. RESULTS: A significant increase of 5.8% (p<0.001) in both retinal arterial and venous diameters was found 30 minutes after sildenafil uptake. The diameters returned to baseline after 120 minutes. A mild systemic hypotensive response was seen. Changes in heart rate and intraocular pressure were not observed. CONCLUSION:Sildenafil causes a significant dilatation of retinal arteries and veins in healthy subjects. A possible role for PDE5 in the regulation of retinal blood flow is implicated.
Authors: W E Sponsel; G Paris; S S Sandoval; D K Sanford; J M Harrison; W R Elliott; Y Trigo Journal: N Engl J Med Date: 2000-06-01 Impact factor: 91.245
Authors: K Polak; G Dorner; B Kiss; E Polska; O Findl; G Rainer; H G Eichler; L Schmetterer Journal: Br J Ophthalmol Date: 2000-11 Impact factor: 4.638
Authors: R M H Diederen; E C La Heij; M Markerink-van Ittersum; A Kijlstra; F Hendrikse; J de Vente Journal: Br J Ophthalmol Date: 2006-08-30 Impact factor: 4.638
Authors: Diogo S Zanoni; Germana A Da Silva; Raaya Ezra-Elia; Márcio Carvalho; Juliany G Quitzan; Ron Ofri; José L Laus; Renee Laufer-Amorim Journal: Int J Exp Pathol Date: 2017-06 Impact factor: 1.925
Authors: David Y Kim; Ronald H Silverman; Robison Vernon Paul Chan; Aziz A Khanifar; Mark Rondeau; Harriet Lloyd; Peter Schlegel; Donald Jackson Coleman Journal: Acta Ophthalmol Date: 2012-09-13 Impact factor: 3.761