Ozempic Linked to Serious Eye Condition
Ozempic has been associated with a serious eye condition that can lead to internal bleeding and even blindness. A recent Israeli study found that individuals using Ozempic or similar weight-loss injections were twice as likely to develop neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) compared to those not on the medication.
nAMD is a condition characterized by the growth of leaky blood vessels behind the eye, which can cause fluid to seep into the retina, resulting in permanent damage and potentially leading to blindness. Ozempic, along with other similar drugs, imitates the body’s natural GLP-1 hormone, which suppresses appetite.
While the specific connection between these weight-loss medications and vision issues remains uncertain, researchers suspect that the drugs interact with GLP-1 receptors in the eye, stimulating abnormal blood vessel growth. Even though instances of this condition are rare, experts express concern about the data and emphasize the necessity for further research.
This isn’t the first time an eye-related issue has been connected to Ozempic; there have been similar findings regarding non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), a condition that damages the optic nerve and can lead to blindness. This revelation follows a recent correlation made between the drug and an increased risk of kidney cancer, though researchers note it may actually decrease risks for other cancer types.
Surveys indicate that about one in eight Americans have experimented with a GLP-1 medication like Ozempic, and currently, around 15 million people—approximately 6 percent—are using these drugs. Age-related macular degeneration impacts around 19 million adults in the U.S., primarily affecting older individuals. Among those, about 1.5 million have the advanced form of the disease, with nAMD causing around 10 percent of those cases. Notably, 90 percent of individuals diagnosed with nAMD are classified as legally blind.
The condition arises when abnormal, fragile blood vessels emerge on the macula, located at the center of the eye, leading to potential leakage of blood and fluid, causing vision loss. While the exact cause isn’t fully understood, the American Academy of Ophthalmology suggests it might involve hormonal changes in the eye that encourage blood vessel growth.
The study, which appeared in JAMA Ophthalmology, analyzed data from 139,000 adults in Ontario, Canada. All participants had type 2 diabetes, with an average age of 66 and nearly half being women. Approximately 46,000 were prescribed a weight-loss drug like Ozempic for at least six months, while the remaining took various diabetes medications.
Over three years, researchers tracked 93 cases of nAMD among the weight-loss drug users (0.2 percent of that group), while in the non-drug group, there were 88 cases (0.1 percent). The researchers speculated that prolonged exposure to these drugs might increase the risk due to the receptors for GLP-1 present in the retina.
Those using semaglutide, a component of Ozempic, made up 97 percent of the affected patients, while a smaller percentage were on lixisenatide. The study tracked participants from early 2020 through late 2023, with a follow-up period averaging three years.
Ozempic’s manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, is currently facing multiple lawsuits from individuals claiming the medication resulted in sight loss. Take Todd Engel, for instance, a 62-year-old with type 2 diabetes, who lost vision in his right eye just four months after starting the treatment. Initially, his doctors were unaware of any potential link to the medication, which led him to continue using it. Sadly, he then lost vision in his left eye six months later.
Medical professionals now confirm that his vision loss is irreversible, with Engel only able to perceive faint pinpricks of light. He was diagnosed with NAION—an unusual condition that blocks blood flow to the optic nerve. Now completely blind, Engel has had to quit his job as a motor equipment operator and relies on special touch controls at home for appliances he can no longer see.
Engel feels he wasn’t adequately warned about the risks associated with Ozempic and believes he might have reconsidered its use had he known. Despite managing his diabetes with medications for over 25 years and consistently passing required vision tests for his job, he never anticipated such a severe outcome.
His attorney pointed out the tragic nature of his situation, emphasizing that had Engel discontinued Ozempic sooner, he might still have retained some vision. This unfortunate incident highlights a broader issue regarding patient awareness and the potential side effects of such medications.
