According to a recent study, individuals who use Ozempic or Wegovy may face a higher likelihood of developing a rare type of vision loss.
However, further research is necessary to reach a definitive conclusion.
Study Links Ozempic, Wegovy to Increased Risk of Rare Vision Loss
A recent study, published in the medical journal JAMA Ophthalmology, examined a large group of over 16,800 individuals in the Boston area over a six-year period.
According to The Hill, none of these participants initially had the eye condition known as nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION).
There is a condition called NAOIN that can result in a decrease in blood flow to the optic nerve, leading to vision loss in a specific manner. Once visual loss occurs, it typically remains stable and does not show significant improvement or deterioration.
In a focused study, scientists examined a particular subset of approximately 1,700 individuals who were either overweight, obese, or had diabetes.
They analyzed the occurrence of NAION (non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy) in patients who were prescribed semaglutide, the active component found in medications like Ozempic and Wegovy, and compared it to those who did not receive this treatment.
Ozempic and Wegovy are commonly prescribed to individuals with Type 2 diabetes or for weight management purposes.
According to the study, over the course of 36 months, 17 out of the 194 patients with Type 2 diabetes who were administered semaglutide developed NAION.
The rate of diagnosis was significantly higher in individuals who were prescribed semaglutide compared to those who were not.
In the group of individuals with obesity who were prescribed semaglutide, a significant number of them, specifically 20 people, experienced the development of NAION. This number is eight times higher compared to those who did not take semaglutide drugs.
In a recent publication in the journal JAMA Ophthalmology, researchers acknowledged that the number of cases of NAION observed was relatively small.
Researchers observed a higher number of cases of NAION in individuals with type 2 diabetes who were prescribed semaglutide, compared to those taking other diabetes medications.
During the three-year follow-up period, researchers discovered that a significantly higher percentage of individuals taking semaglutide were diagnosed with the condition compared to those taking the other drugs.
Meanwhile, in patients who were overweight or obese, there were 20 cases of NAION events among those prescribed semaglutide, while only three cases were reported among those taking other drugs.
A significant percentage of individuals who were prescribed semaglutide experienced NAION, in contrast to a much lower percentage of those taking other medications.
NAION is Not Listed as Adverse Reaction for Semaglutide
Experts have observed a potential link between semaglutide and NAION, but it is important to note that this finding is based on existing data from an observational study. Further research is necessary to establish whether semaglutide is indeed a cause of this eye condition, according to Daily Mail.
Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of the sole semaglutide medications in the US, emphasized that the study is a single observational study and cannot establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship between NAION and semaglutide.
Novo Nordisk emphasized their commitment to patient safety and their serious approach to reports of adverse events caused by their medicines, according to a spokesperson.
The spokesperson clarified that NAION is not considered an adverse drug reaction for the approved formulations of semaglutide, according to the labels.
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