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Viagra-associated serous macular detachment

  • Clinical Investigation
  • Published:
Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

To describe the OCT findings in two cases of idiopathic serous macular detachments associated with Sildenafil (Viagra) use.

Methods

Two patients were identified with idiopathic serous macular detachments associated with Viagra use. Each patient underwent rigorous historical questioning to rule out known causes of serous macular detachments and to determine contributing factors. A comprehensive ocular examination was performed including dilated biomicroscopic examination of the macula and indirect ophthalmoscopic evaluation of the retinal periphery. Additional evaluation included color fundus photography with FA and ICG, OCT analysis of the macula and B-scan ultrasonography. Systemic workup included MRI of the brain and orbits, CT of the brain, orbits, chest and abdomen, blood chemistries and electrophoresis, lumbar puncture with CSF analysis and chest radiographs.

Results

Both patients demonstrated idiopathic serous macular detachment associated with peri-macular vitelliform deposits. Although notable peripapillary atrophy and RPE mottling were present, there was no evidence of heme, exudate, or fibrosis to suggest a CNVM. FA showed no focal areas of leakage. Early and late frames of the ICG demonstrated engorged choroidal vessels without frank leakage. Extensive medical evaluation failed to reveal a systemic etiology. OCT findings demonstrated large serous macular detachments that corresponded to the use or discontinuation of Viagra. Discontinuation of Viagra coincided with complete resolution of the serous macular detachment in one patient and improvement of the serous macular detachment in the other. When one patient resumed Viagra use, he experienced a recurrent serous macular detachment.

Conclusions

We report the OCT findings of two cases of idiopathic serous macular detachment associated with use of the potent vasodilator Sildenafil (Viagra).

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Acknowledgements

Financial support for the study provided by Research to Prevent Blindness, Grant # OP 31.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Jules Stein Eye Institute, UCLA, 100 Stein Plaza, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA

    Polly Quiram, Sean Dumars & David Sarraf

  2. Greater Los Angeles Veteran’s Administration Healthcare Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    David Sarraf

  3. Charles Drew University of Medicine at ML King Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    David Sarraf

  4. Department of Ophthalmology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Group, Woodland Hills, CA, USA

    David Sarraf

  5. Department of Ophthalmology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Group, Baldwin Park, CA, USA

    Bobbie Parwar & David Sarraf

Authors
  1. Polly Quiram
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  2. Sean Dumars
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  3. Bobbie Parwar
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  4. David Sarraf
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Polly Quiram.

Additional information

Polly Quiram and Sean Dumars both contributed equally to this work.

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Quiram, P., Dumars, S., Parwar, B. et al. Viagra-associated serous macular detachment. Graefe's Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 243, 339–344 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-004-1099-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-004-1099-0

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