Tadalafil Eye Side Effects: When to Seek Help

Whilst most tadalafil side effects are mild and temporary, potential visual effects require awareness and prompt action when they occur. This guide explains what’s known about tadalafil and eye side effects, helping you recognise symptoms that need immediate medical attention.

Understanding PDE5 and Vision

Why Visual Effects Can Occur

Tadalafil inhibits PDE5, but it can also affect related enzymes to a small degree:

PDE6 is found in the retina
Tadalafil has minimal PDE6 activity compared to PDE5
This minor effect explains potential visual symptoms
Tadalafil is more selective for PDE5 than some other ED medications

How Common Are Visual Side Effects?

Visual side effects with tadalafil are:

Relatively uncommon
Usually mild when they occur
Often temporary
Less frequent than with sildenafil (which affects PDE6 more)

Serious vision problems are rare but require immediate attention.

Common Visual Side Effects

Colour Vision Changes

Some users report temporary:

Blue-tinted vision
Enhanced brightness
Difficulty distinguishing between blue and green
Overall colour perception changes

Characteristics:

Usually mild
Temporary (resolves as medication wears off)
More common with higher doses
More frequent with sildenafil than tadalafil

What to do:

These effects typically resolve on their own
Mention to your doctor at next appointment
If concerning or persistent, seek medical advice
May indicate need for dose adjustment

Light Sensitivity

Increased sensitivity to light may include:

Brightness appearing more intense
Discomfort in bright environments
Glare from lights seeming more pronounced

Management:

Usually resolves within hours
Wear sunglasses if outdoors
Dim indoor lighting if needed
Inform your doctor if bothersome

Blurred Vision

Temporary blurred vision can occur:

Usually mild
Typically resolves quickly
May affect one or both eyes
Often associated with other side effects like headache

When to be concerned:

If vision doesn’t clear within a few hours
If blurring is severe
If accompanied by other worrying symptoms
If occurs repeatedly

Serious Visual Side Effects (Rare)

Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischaemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION)

NAION is a serious but rare condition involving:

Sudden vision loss in one eye
Caused by reduced blood flow to the optic nerve
Can occur with PDE5 inhibitors, though rarely

Risk factors:

Age over 50
Diabetes
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Heart disease
Smoking
Previous history in one eye

Symptoms:

Sudden vision loss or reduction in one eye
Often noticed upon waking
May be painless
Can be permanent

Action required: Immediate medical attention - go to A&E or call 999.

Retinal Problems

Extremely rare reports exist of retinal issues:

Retinal vein or artery occlusion
Changes in retinal function
Risk appears very low

Symptoms to watch for:

Sudden vision loss
Dark spots or “curtain” across vision
Flashing lights
Shower of floaters

Action required: Immediate medical assessment needed.

When to Seek Immediate Medical Help

Emergency Symptoms

Go to A&E or call 999 if you experience:

Sudden vision loss in one or both eyes
Sudden decrease in vision that doesn’t quickly improve
Partial vision loss or blind spots
Sudden onset floaters with flashing lights

These symptoms require urgent evaluation, as some conditions need immediate treatment to prevent permanent vision loss.

Same-Day Medical Advice Needed

Contact your doctor the same day for:

Persistent blurred vision
Ongoing light sensitivity beyond a few hours
Colour vision changes that concern you
Any new visual symptoms whilst using tadalafil
Eye pain

Routine Discussion at Next Appointment

Mention to your doctor at your next scheduled visit:

Mild, temporary colour changes that resolve
Brief light sensitivity
Any visual effects you’ve noticed, even if minor

Pre-Existing Eye Conditions

Retinitis Pigmentosa

This rare genetic eye condition requires special consideration:

Affects retinal function
May theoretically increase risk from PDE5 inhibitors
Specialist advice needed before using tadalafil
Alternative treatments may be preferable

Other Eye Conditions

Inform your doctor if you have:

Glaucoma
Diabetic retinopathy
Macular degeneration
History of NAION
Any significant eye problems

These conditions may influence whether tadalafil is appropriate and what monitoring is needed.

Comparing Visual Effects Across ED Medications

Tadalafil vs Sildenafil

Visual side effects are generally:

Less common with tadalafil than sildenafil
Tadalafil is more selective for PDE5 over PDE6
Sildenafil users more often report blue-tinted vision
Both have similar rare serious risk profiles

Individual Variation

Some men who experience visual effects with one PDE5 inhibitor find switching to another helps, though this decision requires medical consultation.

Risk Factors for Visual Side Effects

Higher-Risk Groups

Visual side effects may be more likely in:

Older age groups
People with cardiovascular disease
Those with diabetes
Smokers
People with high cholesterol
History of eye disease
Users of higher medication doses

Protective Factors

Lower risk generally associated with:

Younger age
Good overall health
Lower doses
Absence of cardiovascular risk factors
Good baseline vision

Reducing Risk of Visual Side Effects

Before Starting Tadalafil

Inform your doctor of any eye conditions
Mention vision problems or concerns
Discuss family history of eye disease
Have regular eye examinations if at high risk

During Treatment

Use the lowest effective dose
Don’t exceed recommended dosing
Report any visual changes to your doctor
Maintain regular health check-ups
Manage cardiovascular risk factors

If Visual Effects Occur

Note what you experienced
Record timing relative to medication
Mention to your doctor
Consider dose adjustment if needed
Don’t ignore sudden or severe changes

Other Considerations

Driving and Operating Machinery

Visual side effects, whilst rare, can affect:

Ability to drive safely
Operating machinery
Activities requiring clear vision

If you experience any visual changes:

Don’t drive until vision normalises
Avoid tasks requiring precise vision
Consider timing medication when such activities aren’t planned

Professional Vision Requirements

Some occupations have vision requirements:

Airline pilots
Professional drivers
Roles requiring colour discrimination

Discuss tadalafil use with occupational health if your job has specific vision standards.

Long-Term Vision Monitoring

Routine Eye Examinations

If using tadalafil long-term:

Continue regular eye exams as recommended for your age
Inform optometrists/ophthalmologists about medication use
Discuss any changes in vision
Follow screening recommendations for age-related conditions

Additional Monitoring

May be recommended if you have:

Pre-existing eye conditions
Multiple cardiovascular risk factors
Family history of vision problems
Any concerning visual symptoms

Frequently Asked Questions

Are visual side effects from tadalafil permanent?

Most visual side effects from tadalafil are temporary and resolve as the medication clears from your system. However, serious complications like NAION can result in permanent vision loss, which is why sudden vision changes require immediate medical attention.

Does tadalafil cause more eye problems than sildenafil?

No, tadalafil generally causes fewer visual side effects than sildenafil. Tadalafil is more selective for PDE5, whereas sildenafil has greater activity on PDE6 (found in the retina), making colour vision changes more common with sildenafil.

Should I stop taking tadalafil if I notice mild colour changes?

Mild, temporary colour changes that resolve within hours typically don’t require stopping medication, but you should mention them to your doctor. They might suggest a lower dose or monitoring. Never stop prescribed medication without medical advice.

Can tadalafil cause glaucoma?

There’s no strong evidence that tadalafil causes or significantly worsens glaucoma. However, if you have glaucoma, inform your doctor before starting tadalafil so they can assess whether it’s appropriate for you and arrange suitable monitoring.

Will my eye doctor know I’m taking tadalafil from an eye examination?

Routine eye examinations won’t reveal tadalafil use, but you should inform your eye care professional about all medications you take, including tadalafil. This information helps them interpret any findings and provide appropriate care.

Visual side effects appear somewhat dose-related, with higher doses (20mg) potentially more likely to cause visual symptoms than lower doses. If you experience bothersome visual effects, your doctor might recommend reducing the dose.

For more context about tadalafil safety and side effects:

Tadalafil Side Effects - Comprehensive safety information
Tadalafil Long-Term Use and Safety - Extended treatment considerations
How Does Tadalafil Work? - Understanding the mechanism
Tadalafil vs Sildenafil - Comparing ED medications

Important Reminder

This information is educational only. Any visual changes whilst using tadalafil should be assessed by a healthcare professional. Sudden vision loss requires immediate emergency medical attention. Always follow medical advice specific to your circumstances.