Viagra® – life through a blue-tinted haze…

[1 February 2012 - 15h59]

According to the most recent issue of the magazine Revue Prescrire, certain drugs can change our perception of colour. « In some cases, these problems reflect or signal serious eye damage, which may be irreversible », the magazine explains. To bring such effects under control, there must be a rapid reduction in dosage or even a complete halt to treatment, but always under the supervision of the prescribing doctor. Let’s take a quick look at this issue.

Eye problems of this kind are often asymmetrical and their clinical manifestations quite varied: there can be dominance of a single colour; difficulty distinguishing colours; reduction in the perception of shades of colour, etc. Back in March 2011, Revue Prescrire had already drawn attention to the fact that photophobias, problems with colour vision including cyanopsia (dominance of blue) and eye irritations were “known undesirable effects of phospodiesterase inhibitors”.

Certain drugs can lead to harmless and transitory problems with vision. Others can cause irreversible damage, such as retinopathy. These problems often depend on the dose and duration of treatment. “When a drug-induced cause is plausible, it is prudent to react quickly and consult your doctor”, the magazine points out. “He may then decide to reduce the dosage or to stop prescribing you the drug concerned to avoid serious or even irreversible damage ».

Source : Source: Revue Prescrire, No. 340 – February 2012

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