Retinal Hemorrhage Associated with Viagra (sildenafil citrate)

PURPOSE: Viagra(sildenafil citrate) is a new oral medication that selectively inhibits phsphodiestarase-5(PDE5) in the corpus cavernosum to facilitate penile erection for the treatment for male impotence. We report a case of retinal hemorrhage associated with Viagra intake. METHOD: A 71-year-old male without known systemic disease visited with suddenly decreased visual acuity of 4 days duration in the Rt. eye. He intermittenly took 2 tablets of Viagra(50 mg) during 2 months and the symptom occurred 2 days after his last taking of Viagra. His corrected visual acuity was 0.3 in the Rt. eye and 1.0 in the Lt. eye. Several ophthalmologic examination was performed. RESULTS: Fundus exam revealed multiple dot hemorrhage with corresponding block fluorescence in the superior area of macula and superotemporal area of posterior pole. Inferonasal area visual field defect was detected by Goldmann perimetry and ERG finding was decreased maximal scotopic b wave ampitude. Ten weeks later, retinal hemorrhage was almost absorbed, but visual field defect and visual acuity did not improve.

Secretion of Interleukin-8 from Human Keratocyte Stimulated by Aspergillus fumigatus and Effect of Amphotericin B and Dexamethasone on The Secretion

PURPOSE: To measure the secretion of IL-8 from cultured human keratocytes after inoculation of conidia of A. fumigatus, and to compare the change of secretion of IL-8 following application of amphotericin B and dexamethasone. METHODS: Human corneal keraoctytes were cultured independently in vitro. The specimens were divided into 4 groups : Group I with only pure culture as control, Group II with conidia of A. fumigatus, Group III with conidia of A. fumigatus and amphotericin B, and Group IV with conidia of A. fumigatus and dexamethasone. The supernatants were aspirated from each group at different time intervals, and then were assayed for IL-8. RESULTS: Group II showed increased secretion of IL-8, at all selected time intervals except 12-h, in comparison with other three groups. Group III secreted IL-8 significantly less than the other groups(p<0.01). Group IV secreted IL-8 less than Group I and II at all selected time points(p<0.01), but more than Group III at the other time points except for 72-h(p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The secretion of IL-8 increased in the early stage of fungal keratitis but decreased in case of the administration of amphotericin B or dexamethasone. Amphotericin B was more potent than dexamethasone in decreasing the secretion of IL-8.