New research indicates a potential link between tadalafil, a drug for erectile dysfunction and enlarged prostate, and an increased risk of glaucoma. Glaucoma is a serious eye condition that can lead to vision loss.
An international research team examined health records from approximately 74,000 men aged 40 and older. These men had lower urinary tract symptoms, and the researchers aimed to determine if long-term use of tadalafil was associated with glaucoma risk. The study, published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, compared around 37,000 men using tadalafil with a similar group not prescribed phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors, including Cialis.
Researchers monitored these men for up to five years, noting new glaucoma cases and elevated eye pressure, along with the need for glaucoma treatment.
“Glaucoma often does not show visual symptoms in its early stages,” Dr. Valerie Kattouf, an optometrist at the Illinois Eye Institute, explained. She was not involved in the study.
The findings revealed that men using tadalafil were 22% more likely to develop glaucoma. They were also 32% more likely to experience high intraocular pressure and 33% more likely to develop primary open-angle glaucoma, a common form of the disease.
Dr. Kattouf emphasized the importance of early detection through comprehensive vision evaluations. She noted that people with a family history of glaucoma or severe nearsightedness might face increased risks, especially when taking Cialis long-term.
Individuals using this medication should undergo regular eye examinations to check for glaucoma indicators. Eye tests can identify changes indicating the condition.
The study, while observational, does not establish a definitive cause-and-effect relationship between tadalafil and glaucoma. Researchers acknowledged this limitation, as well as the inability to account for changes in medication use or other health developments over time.
The researchers advised that people should not discontinue tadalafil without medical advice. Instead, long-term users, particularly those with pre-existing glaucoma risk factors, should consider regular eye monitoring.
Fox News Digital has sought comments from Eli Lilly, Cialis’s manufacturer, and the study’s researchers.
Kelly McGreal is a production assistant with the lifestyle team at Fox News Digital.
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