A new study suggests a possible link between semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, and non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), a type of sudden vision loss. While the risk is considered low, experts caution about the potential for permanent blindness.
Maggie O’Neill is a health writer and reporter based in New York who specializes in covering medical research and emerging wellness trends, with a focus on cancer and addiction. Prior to her time at Health, her work appeared in the Observer, Good Housekeeping, CNN, and Vice. She was a fellow of the Association of Health Care Journalists’ 2020 class on Women’s Health Journalism and 2021 class on Cancer Reporting.
A new study has found that semaglutide, the active ingredient in the popular weight loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy, may be linked to a type of sudden vision loss called non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy . The study authors divided participants in each category into two subcategories—those who had received a semaglutide prescription and those who hadn’t—and found that the semaglutide cohorts in both the type 2 diabetes and overweight/obesity groups experienced higher rates of NAION.
Researchers found that of 10,000 semaglutide users, one additional person may develop NAION over the course of a year than would typically be diagnosed with the disease. Participants therefore had a higher risk of NAION when taking semaglutide, the researchers concluded, but “the absolute risk remains low.".
People who have a history of NAION may want to consult their healthcare providers about the risks of semaglutide.
Ozempic Wegovy Semaglutide Vision Loss NAION
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