An international study published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology has found that long-term use of tadalafil, a medication commonly prescribed for erectile dysfunction and enlarged prostate symptoms, may be associated with an increased risk of glaucoma, a serious eye condition that can lead to gradual and irreversible vision loss. The research, which analyzed health records of nearly 74,000 men aged 40 and older with lower urinary tract symptoms, compared approximately 37,000 men prescribed tadalafil to a similar group not using phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (the drug class that includes Cialis). Over a follow-up period of up to five years, the study found that men using tadalafil were 22% more likely to develop glaucoma, 32% more likely to develop high intraocular pressure, and 33% more likely to develop primary open-angle glaucoma, the most common form of the disease.

Dr. Valerie Kattouf, an optometrist at the Illinois Eye Institute not involved in the study, emphasized that glaucoma often lacks noticeable visual symptoms in its early stages, making regular comprehensive eye examinations crucial for early detection. She noted that individuals with a family history of glaucoma, high intraocular pressure, severe nearsightedness, or those who use Cialis daily over extended periods may require closer monitoring. Despite the study’s findings, the researchers highlighted several limitations, including its observational nature, which precludes establishing a causal relationship between tadalafil use and glaucoma. They also acknowledged the inability to account for changes in medication use or other health conditions over time. Consequently, the researchers advised that the findings should not prompt discontinuation of tadalafil but rather encourage regular eye monitoring for long-term users, particularly those with preexisting glaucoma risk factors. Source

This is a summary. Read the original at health.yahoo.com.