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The effects of sildenafil citrate on choroidal thickness as determined by enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography

Vance SK, Imamura Y, Freund KB

Retina (Philadelphia, Pa.), 2011

8 participants

Abstract

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of the phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor, sildenafil citrate, on choroidal thickness using eye-tracked enhanced depth imaging spectral-domain optical coherence tomography.

METHODS: In a prospective interventional study, 8 healthy subjects (4 men and 4 women) with no ocular history underwent enhanced depth imaging spectral-domain optical coherence tomography at baseline, 1 hour, and 3 hours after the ingestion of 100 mg of sildenafil citrate. Choroidal thickness measurements for both eyes using enhanced depth imaging spectral-domain optical coherence tomography were taken by 2 masked readers at baseline, 1-hour, and 3-hour time points. Statistical analysis was performed to compare the measurements of choroidal thickness at each of the three intervals.

RESULTS: The mean age of the subjects was 35.9 years (range 30-46 years). Mean choroidal thickness at baseline was 334 μm (± 57 μm). Mean choroidal thickness increased by 12.3% to 375 μm (± 68 μm) at 1 hour after ingestion (P < 0.001). At 3 hours after ingestion, the mean choroidal thickness remained elevated at 372 μm (± 61 μm), 11.6% thicker than baseline (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in choroidal thickness between the 1-hour and the 3-hour intervals (P = 0.719).

CONCLUSION: Sildenafil citrate appears to increase choroidal thickness as measured by eye-tracked enhanced depth imaging spectral-domain optical coherence tomography measurements in healthy subjects 1 hour and 3 hours…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a cohort study, done in people. Its evidence level is 3 of 5 (Moderate · trial / cohort / secondary analysis). Trials without a large randomized design, cohorts and secondary analyses give moderate evidence. Reported size: 8 participants or records.

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