Study Links Daily Cialis Use to Slightly Higher Glaucoma Risk in Men
Research involving 73,854 men found that those taking tadalafil (Cialis) had a 22% higher incidence of glaucoma compared with non-users, prompting doctors to recommend regular eye examinations.
A recent observational study published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology examined health records of 73,854 men aged 40 and older between 2012 and 2022. Half of the participants had been prescribed tadalafil, the active ingredient in Cialis, while the other half had not taken any drug from that class. The groups were matched for age, ethnicity, smoking status, alcohol use, other medications and a range of health conditions.
The analysis showed that men on tadalafil were 22% more likely to receive a glaucoma diagnosis, 32% more likely to develop ocular hypertension, and about 33% more likely to be diagnosed with primary open-angle glaucoma or to start glaucoma treatment. Over a five-year period, 3.93% of tadalafil users developed glaucoma versus 3.16% of non-users – an absolute difference of less than one percentage point, or roughly eight additional cases per 1,000 men.
"Don’t quit the drug. Get your eyes checked, especially if you already have glaucoma or it runs in your family," the study authors advised.
The authors emphasized that the study shows an association, not causation, and noted limitations such as reliance on prescription records and a predominantly white study population. They recommend that men taking tadalafil undergo routine comprehensive dilated eye exams, which include pupil dilation, optic nerve assessment, intra-ocular pressure measurement and visual field testing. Medicare Part B covers glaucoma screening for high-risk individuals, though tadalafil use is not currently listed as a risk factor.
Physicians are encouraged to discuss baseline and follow-up eye examinations with patients on daily tadalafil and to consider alternative prostate treatments if eye problems are identified.