Intraocular Hemorrhage due to use of Sildenafil in a Patient with Diabetes

Sildenafil is one of the most commonly used drugs for sexual dysfunction or to increase libido, and it regulates endothelial nitric oxide synthase enzyme via selective phosphodiesterase-V inhibition. Sildenafil can be easily obtained without a medical indication or prescription yet it is not considered as a completely safe medication. Hemoptysis and hemorrhagic stroke are some important adverse effects of sildenafil. The case of the current report was a 67-year-old diabetic patient with simultaneous anterior and posterior segment hemorrhage after the use of 100 mg sildenafil citrate. Anterior chamber clearance and pars plana vitrectomy were performed for the patient because the hyphema and vitreous hemorrhage did not resolve during the follow-up period. There are very limited data available in the literature suggesting an increase in the risk of hyphema or vitreous hemorrhage due to the use of sildenafil. This is the first report that reveals the bleeding effect of sildenafil use in a patient with type 2 diabetes.