More Evidence Emerges That Ozempic Use May Be Tied to Vision Loss, Study Shows
Emerging research has further emphasized the potential risk of vision loss tied to the use of diabetes and weight management drugs like Ozempic.
At the annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology last weekend, a study was presented covering the growing concerns that GLP-1 use could be connected to NAION (non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy).
This condition, sometimes called an eye stroke, occurs when the optic nerve doesn’t receive enough blood flow. It can cause sudden and permanent vision loss.
The study, which analyzed data from over 100,000 people, found that diabetes patients who take GLP-1 drugs could be upwards of 68 times more likely to develop NAION compared to people using other treatment methods.
“My hope is that these findings empower patients and clinicians to make informed choices among the many GLP-1 receptor agonists now available,” Moiz Lakhani, one of the authors of the study, said in an AAO press release.
This evidence emerges as patients continue to file Ozempic vision loss lawsuits. Attorneys are actively petitioning to group these growing cases together in both federal and state court.
Research Mounts Tying Ozempic and GLP-1s to Vision Loss
This is not the first study to connect GLP-1 usage to NAION. Researchers first uncovered a link between semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, and the development of NAION in 2024.
In June, the World Health Organization warned health care professionals that Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus could be associated with NAION.
The European Medicines Agency has also recommended that NAION be added to Ozempic’s product information as a potential side effect.
Research was also published this year suggesting ties exist between GLP-1 drugs with the active ingredient liraglutide, like Saxenda and Victoza, and a heightened risk of the serious eye condition.
Consolidation Could Be Coming for Ozempic Vision Loss Lawsuits
People are filing lawsuits against the makers of drugs like Ozempic and Saxenda over claims that they developed vision loss after using the drugs.
These lawsuits are now approaching a key phase: consolidation.
When many similar lawsuits are filed or are expected to be filed, they are often all grouped together before one judge so that they can move through the legal process in a streamlined fashion. This is called multidistrict litigation (MDL).
A motion has been filed to create an MDL for vision loss lawsuits, with more than 20 cases already filed in federal court and hundreds more expected to follow. A hearing to decide whether an MDL should be formed has been scheduled for December.
Separately, a petition has also been filed to group together vision loss lawsuits filed at the state level in New Jersey. Many lawsuits have been filed in that state’s courts since it is where Ozempic maker Novo Nordisk is headquartered.
The New Jersey Supreme Court has not yet made a decision on consolidating those cases.
