Case Report: Central retinal artery occlusion following sildenafil intake

F1000Res. 2022 Jun 1:11:600. doi: 10.12688/f1000research.122087.1. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

Purpose: To report a case of central retinal artery occlusion associated with sildenafil intake and briefly discuss its causative pathogenesis. Methods: A 50-year-old man with no premorbidities presented with symptoms of sudden severe visual field constriction in the left eye (LE). Best-corrected visual acuity in the LE was 20/25. Fundus examination and fluorescein angiography of the LE were suggestive of central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) with cilioretinal artery sparing. Further investigation revealed that 100 mg of sildenafil had been taken for the first time three hours before the onset of symptoms. Results: The patient was treated promptly with intravenous acetazolamide, sublingual isosorbide dinitrate and ocular massage, but without visual recovery. No other associated systemic or local risk factors were found, and the case was classified as a potential complication of sildenafil. Conclusion: Although no direct link could be established, the aim of this report is to highlight the incidence and to consider this issue when evaluating any case of central retinal artery occlusion.

Keywords: Central retinal artery occlusion; Sildenafil; Systemic Drug Retinal Toxicity; phosphodiesterase V inhibitor..

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acetazolamide*
  • Humans
  • Isosorbide Dinitrate
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Retinal Artery Occlusion* / chemically induced
  • Retinal Artery Occlusion* / complications
  • Retinal Artery Occlusion* / diagnosis
  • Sildenafil Citrate / adverse effects
  • Visual Acuity

Substances

  • Sildenafil Citrate
  • Isosorbide Dinitrate
  • Acetazolamide

Grants and funding

The author(s) declared that no grants were involved in supporting this work.