Maryland Man Alleges Weight-Loss Drug Caused Vision Loss
A man from Maryland has reported that a widely used weight-loss medication led to his complete vision loss, rendering him legally blind.
Todd Engel, who is 63 years old, began using Ozempic in 2023 to help manage his diabetes. This medication, which is approved for treating type 2 diabetes, is frequently prescribed off-label for weight loss purposes.
About four months after starting the treatment, Engel was diagnosed with nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION).
This condition, where blood flow decreases and affects the optic nerve, can lead to sudden and lasting vision loss.
Engel recalls the moment he first noticed something was wrong: “On New Year’s Eve, 2024, I had just gotten out of the shower and was preparing for work. I turned to Shelley and said, ‘I can’t see in my right eye. It’s completely dark.’” His initial horror was palpable: “I was horrified. I was really upset that I couldn’t see.”
After further testing at Johns Hopkins’ Wilmer Eye Institute, he learned that he had experienced an “eye stroke,” a term used to describe NAION.
Despite normal blood work and no concerning blood pressure, doctors reassured him he could continue working. Engel remarked, “I didn’t go blind — I had my vision taken from me, which was catastrophic to me and to my family.”
Engel continued to take Ozempic because neither he nor his doctors were aware of the potential link between the medication and NAION.
Approximately ten months later, he suddenly lost vision in his left eye, escalating his fears. “Losing sight in both eyes created a tremendous amount of concern,” he said.
Doctors informed Engel that there were no treatments available to restore his vision. His wife, Shelley, mentioned that medical tests did not reveal any other factors apart from Ozempic; he immediately stopped taking the drug after losing vision in his second eye.
At the time of his vision loss, Engel was employed as a heavy equipment operator and truck driver for Howard County Highways, having worked in that capacity for about 40 years.
He described the emotional toll: “People want to be able to retire on their own terms, not because of a medical injury like this that takes away your livelihood.”
Engel, who cherished reading, can no longer enjoy newspapers or books and must count steps to navigate his home. Outside, he now uses a white cane and relies on his family, particularly his grandchildren, for assistance during family events.
“They guide me, telling me to take a few steps and then make a turn,” he explained, struggling with feelings of embarrassment. “I shouldn’t need help to get from point A to point B.”
The loss has had a profound impact on his family; Shelley noted, “It has transformed every aspect of our lives. There isn’t a single piece of our lives that hasn’t been touched by this.”
Engel expressed deep sorrow over the personal losses, saying, “I will never be able to see my wife’s beautiful face again or play ball with my grandchildren, and that is incredibly upsetting.”
If he had been aware of a possible link between Ozempic and vision loss, Engel said he would never have taken the medication. “I would have dealt with the diabetes instead of jeopardizing my eyes,” he stated.
The couple aims to publicly share their story to prevent others from going through a similar ordeal. Engel urged others to research potential risks associated with medications.
Ongoing Legal Actions
Engel has filed a lawsuit against Novo Nordisk, the company behind Ozempic, claiming inadequate warnings about the risk of vision loss. He is one among hundreds of patients currently seeking legal recourse against manufacturers of GLP-1 medications, like Ozempic and Wegovy, over claims that these drugs led to NAION.
The lawsuits assert that manufacturers have neglected to deliver appropriate warnings regarding these risks, although a definitive causal link between the medications and NAION remains unconfirmed.
Novo Nordisk’s Response
In response, Novo Nordisk has denied that the medication causes NAION, claiming that there is no evidence establishing a direct relationship between semaglutide and the eye condition. They regard the personal injury lawsuits as meritless and are actively defending them in court.
The company has emphasized that the data from clinical trials showed very few confirmed cases of NAION among patients taking semaglutide, and they continue to monitor the condition as part of their routine drug safety assessments.
