Long-term Cialis Use May Increase Risk of Glaucoma, Large Study Finds

In a multinational cohort analysis published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, investigators used the TriNetX Analytics Network to compare nearly 74,000 men aged 40 or older who were prescribed tadalafil for benign prostatic hyperplasia with a matched control group. After five years, men on tadalafil showed a 22% higher chance of developing glaucoma, a 32% increase in ocular hypertension, and a 33% rise in primary open-angle glaucoma diagnoses or treatment initiation.

The heightened risk was consistent across sub-analyses, including men aged 50+, white participants, and those with various comorbidities. The authors caution that the observational design cannot establish direct causality and note limitations such as medication adherence and demographic homogeneity. Nonetheless, they recommend baseline eye exams and regular follow-up for patients on chronic tadalafil, particularly those with family history, high myopia, or pre-existing ocular conditions.