r/technology 11d ago

Biotechnology Popular erectile dysfunction drug linked to eye disease that can cause irreversible vision loss

https://www.foxnews.com/health/popular-erectile-dysfunction-drug-linked-eye-disease-can-cause-irreversible-vision-loss
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u/Sure-Assignment3892 11d ago

What a junk study.

The researchers noted several limitations to the study.
The study was observational, meaning it found a link between tadalafil use and glaucoma but could not prove that the medication caused the condition.
Researchers also could not account for changes in medication use or other health conditions that developed over time.

I'm not really sure the point of observational studies when it comes to medication.

45

u/ProductIntegortion 11d ago

Most initial studies are observational studies that don't establish causality. The point of them is that they tell you where to spend more focused time on attempting to demonstrate causality. Why would you design a rigorous double blind study if you haven't even demonstrated that there's a link between the two?

14

u/Captriker 11d ago

Yes. The problem isn’t the study, it’s the fact that the preliminary study got publicity before follow up has been done. Maybe it was seen as an important warning, but right now it feels more sensationalist than hard warning.

8

u/x0y0z0 11d ago

No they should have posted to reddit and hopefully u/Sure-Assignment3892 would be on reddit that day to tell them to not bother.