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  • Letter to the Editor
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In reply to SJ Watt et al.

International Journal of Impotence Research volume 18, page 412 (2006)Cite this article

I stand by the facts, speculations and conclusions stated in my Perspective article. For those who have not read it, I quote directly, with new emphasis added, from the last three sentences of the paper: ‘The major predisposing factor is the anatomic structure of the optic nerve (disc at risk) followed by systemic risk factors for atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis.’ The use of PDE5i in persons with one or more of these risk factors may increase the chance of developing NAION. The use of PDE5i and the development of NAION remains a rare, but well documented, event that requires further study.

For those interested in more depth, I am adding the following selected references, which were not allowed in the original Perspective article format.1, 2, 3, 4

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References

  1. Pomeranz HD, Bhavsar AR . Nonarteritic ischemic optic neuropathy developing soon after use of sildenafil (Viagra): a report of seven new cases. J Neuro-ophththalmol 2005; 25: 9–13 (and references therein).

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  2. Escaravage GK, Wright JD, Givre SJ . Tadalafil associated with anterior ischemic optic neuropathy. Arch Ophthalmol 2005; 123: 399–400.

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  3. Egan RA, Fraunfelder FW . Viagra and anterior ischemic optic neuropathy. Arch Ophthalmol 2005; 123: 709–710.

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  4. Fraunfelder FW . Visual side effects associated with erectile dysfunction agents. Am J Ophthalmol 2005; 140: 723–724.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University Hospital of Cleveland, Cleveland, OH, USA

    R L Tomsak

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  1. R L Tomsak
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Tomsak, R. In reply to SJ Watt et al.. Int J Impot Res 18, 412 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijir.3901453

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijir.3901453

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