New Study Links Ozempic to Vision Problems

Many people have gotten off insulin and/or lost significant weight thanks to Ozempic. This is the brand name of a drug with semaglutide as the active ingredient and has been prescribed to many patients struggling with diabetes. Semaglutide is also the active ingredient in Wegovy. This is the brand name for a similar medication that’s essentially a higher-dose version of Ozempic and is intended primarily for individuals looking to lose weight.

However, like most other prescription medications, Ozempic and Wegovy have their fair share of side effects and issues. One of the most publicized and unpleasant is gastroparesis, which has led to some legal action that I wrote about last year. Then in July 2024, a study published by JAMA Ophthalmology indicated a possible link between semaglutide and nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic nerve neuropathy. Let’s take a closer look at this study and what it could mean if you or someone you know is taking Ozempic or Wegovy.

What Is Nonarteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy?

Nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) is a type of optic neuropathy, which is a condition where the optic nerve becomes damaged. The optic nerve is what transmits information from the eye to the brain. When the optic nerve doesn’t work properly, it can lead to vision problems, including blindness. NAION is a specific type of optic neuropathy where the damage results from a reduction or stoppage of blood flow to the optic nerve.

When this occurs, the cells in the optic nerve don’t receive the oxygen or nutrients necessary for healthy vision. This optic nerve damage can lead to a painless, yet sudden vision loss. With current medical technology, this damage usually can’t be repaired, so any vision loss stemming from optic nerve damage is typically permanent.

What’s the Connection Between Ozempic and NAION?

The authors of the JAMA Ophthalmology study examined more than 16,000 patients over three years. Of this group, 710 had type 2 diabetes and 979 were overweight or obese. The study focused on these two groups and separated them based on whether or not they took a medication with semaglutide.

Among the group with diabetes who received a NAION diagnosis, 8.9% of those took medication with semaglutide, while 1.8% took a different medication for their diabetes.

Among those who were overweight or obese and received a NAION diagnosis, 6.7% took a medication with semaglutide while 0.8% of individuals took different medications.

Does This Study Mean Ozempic or Wegovy Causes NAION?

The study doesn’t conclusively say that semaglutide medications cause NAION, only that there’s a connection between taking semaglutide and NAION. This is an important distinction because of the risk factors for NAION, some of which include:

Diabetes
Heart disease
Sleep apnea
High blood pressure

It’s important to note that heart disease, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea have known connections to obesity. So it’s not yet clear if semaglutide medications cause NAION or if those who are already at risk for developing NAION are more likely to take a medication containing semaglutide. However, the increased incidence of NAION among those taking a semaglutide medication is troubling.

The study’s authors recognized that diabetes and being overweight didn’t fully explain the increase in risk for NAION. However, they also couldn’t conclude that the semaglutide was the primary reason for the increase in NAION risk. Therefore, the authors recommended further research to study this possible connection.

What Should I Do If I’m Taking Wegovy or Ozempic?

If you’re currently on a medication regimen that includes semaglutide, the American Academy of Ophthalmology does not recommend that you stop taking your semaglutide medication unless you have a loss of vision or your doctor tells you to stop taking that medication. What the American Academy of Ophthalmology does recommend is that you talk to your doctor about whether semaglutide is right for you given your unique health situation.

If you have been diagnosed with NAION or any other health problem you believe might be related to taking semaglutide, such as gastroparesis, you might have some legal options. Feel free to contact me by calling 919.334.6277 (direct line) and I’ll see what I can do to help.

This post was written from online news sources. This post is not legal advice.

★★★★★

I was involved in a case for the faulty hip replacements. Clay Hodges represented me. I can't say enough about how much he has helped me. Clay was able to win multiple settlements on my behalf with most of them being the maximum amount able to be awarded. Matt J.

Clay, thank you sir for making a disheartening experience at least palatable, you and your staff were honest, caring and understanding through the entire process of my wife’s hip replacements, while monetary settlements never make the pain and suffering end, it sometimes is the only way people can fight back to right a wrong. J. V.

We are absolutely pleased with how Clay Hodges handled my husband’s hip replacement claim. He always kept us informed of the progress. And, his work resulted in a settlement which we are extremely pleased. Thank you, Clay! Carol L. & Norm L.