Viagra Litigation at The Lanier Law Firm
Viagra (Sildenafil Citrate) was approved by the Food & Drug Administration in 1998, to treat erectile dysfunction. Manufactured by Pfizer Inc., Viagra is used by more than 23 million men worldwide, with annual sales at almost $2 billion.
Recent findings have indicated a growing number of cases in which men have experienced visual impairment, including sudden blindness, attributed to Nonarteritic Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION). This rare form of sudden blindness, also referred to as a "stroke of the eye," is caused by the blockage of blood flow to the optic nerve and is most common in older people, who are the predominant users of Viagra. NAION affects up to 6,000 people each year in the United States.
In early 2005, the Journal of Neuro-Ophthalmology released a study, co-authored by Dr. Howard D. Pomeranz, involving the relationship of Viagra and visual impairment. The study is based on an examination of seven patients who developed NAION after taking Viagra. In all patients, the initial symptoms were blurred vision and some degree of vision loss. In one patient, both eyes were affected, whereas in the remainder, just one eye was involved. With the exception of one patient whose symptoms began 24 to 36 hours after using Viagra, the patients developed symptoms within 24 hours of use.
In response to the increased number of reports regarding erectile dysfunction medications and visual impairment, the FDA ordered updated labeling in July, 2005, for Viagra, Cialis and Levitra.
Recently, a study conducted at the University of Alabama in Birmingham (released in the British Journal of Ophthalmology), revealed that patients with a history of heart attack may be 10 times more likely to have optic nerve damage while taking leading anti-impotence pills, such as Viagra or Cialis.
If you or a loved one has taken Viagra and suffered any side effects, please contact our office for a free evaluation.
Viagra Information Links:
"Feds Eye Viagra-Blindness" from CBS Evening News
"Nonarteritic Ischemic Optic Neuropathy Developing Soon After Use of Sildenafil (Viagra): A Report of Seven New Cases." (Abstract)
Journal of Neuro-Ophthalmology. 25(1):9-13, March 2005.
"Impotence drugs linked to eye damage risk - study", Jan 16, 2006, Reuters
