Recent research indicates that some weight loss medications may be linked to a heightened risk of serious eye conditions, including potential vision loss.
Two studies featured in Jama examined the effects of semaglutide and tilzepatide—common drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, Munjaro, and Zepbound—on the eye health of Americans diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes over a two-year period.
One of the studies suggested a slight risk of developing non-arterial pre-ischemic ischemic optic neuropathy (NAOIN), a rare condition that can cause sudden vision loss due to inadequate blood flow.
Among the over 159,000 participants with type 2 diabetes, 35 developed NAOIN, compared to 19 in the control group. The Ohio-based researchers also highlighted a rise in other optic neuropathies, noted in 93 patients.
In the second study, while no “statistically significant differences” in NAOIN among users of GLP-1 drugs were detected, there was a slight uptick in cases of diabetic retinopathy, an eye disease that can harm the retina.
For those with type 2 diabetes using GLP-1 medications, the risk of diabetic retinopathy seemed to increase slightly. However, researchers concluded that fewer patients were experiencing vision-threatening complications due to this disease.
The authors of the studies emphasized the importance of regular screening and monitoring for all type 2 diabetes patients on GLP-1 receptor agonists, regardless of their retinopathy status.
Dr. Sue Decotiis, a medical weight loss physician in New York City, pointed out that more research is essential to affirm the relationship between these drugs and potential vision loss, as various results have surfaced in studies.
“NAOIN is a rare condition affecting the optic nerve and, while it’s serious, these studies haven’t definitively shown a consistent increase,” DeCotiis, who was not involved in the studies, mentioned.
Experts recognized that diabetics already face a heightened risk of eye diseases due to blood flow issues and nerve damage, which are often closely tied to the management of diabetes.
In many instances, GLP-1 medications help manage type 2 diabetes more effectively, potentially reducing the risk of eye diseases. They have also been shown to lower the likelihood of cardiovascular issues, such as hypertension, and improve circulation, which could benefit eye health.
Decotiis recommends that diabetic patients starting on GLP-1 medications schedule regular follow-up visits with ophthalmologists during their treatment to ensure comprehensive eye care.
In response to inquiries from Fox News Digital, Novo Nordisk, the maker of Ozempic and Wegovy, reiterated its commitment to patient safety and emphasized the rarity of NAOIN, stating it does not represent a harmful reaction linked to their medications.
The company noted that their assessment included a randomized controlled clinical trial with an ophthalmologist confirming NAOIN diagnoses and maintains that the current data do not establish a causal relationship between the use of GLP-1 receptor agonists and NAOIN incidents.
