Does Ozempic cause vision loss or is there only an association?
Certain research studies have opined that victims prescribed semaglutide may have a higher risk of a Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION) diagnosis. There is increasing evidence that there is at least an association between Ozempic and GLP-1 usage and NAION. There is not enough research to definitively link semaglutide to NAION. This is because of the fact that type 2 diabetes in itself is a risk factor associated with NAION and assorted eye problems..
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- In 2024 there was a study from Mass Eye and Ear set forth in JAMA Ophthalmology. Patients prescribed semaglutide had a four times greater likelihood to suffer through NAION compared to victims prescribed other diabetes prescriptions.
- Among fat semaglutide users, the risk increased to greater than seven times greater.
- A distinct study in Europe posits a meaningful increase in NAION among semaglutide users over a long period of time who also had diabetes. This led the European Medicines Agency to begin a risk review and suggest the need for label warnings.
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There is currently an MDL in Federal Court where victims can file an ozempic vision loss lawsuit. Victims can also consider filing an ozempic blindness lawsuit in State Court in New Jersey in the Multicounty litigation.
What are some signs of NAION?
- Abrupt loss of vision: Usually happens within several hours or perhaps days.
- Unilateral vision loss: This is vison loss in one eye, only.
- Blurriness: Vision is blurry.
- Cloudiness: Vision can seem dim, blurry or even gray.
- Vision loss (Central): Visual field in the center may be affected, causing problems reading or viewing details.
- Peripheral vision could still be preserved: Even though central vision may be impaired, peripheral vision could still be intact.
- No pain or redness in eye: The opposite of other eye issues, NAION rarely leads to pain or redness.
- Could coincide with other side affects: Certain victims could be subjected to dizziness, headaches, or even nausea.
NAION is a little known but severe eye condition, which typically manifests itself out of nowhere with abrupt / sudden yet painless vision loss occurring in one eye, only. Victims with NAION can also have altered color perception as well as slow vision loss (gradual).
The 411 on NAION
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- Loss of vision caused by NAION is an untreatable condition and may lead to permanent blindness.
- Loss of vision caused by NAION is usually sudden, and often only realized when a victim awakens in the morning and realizes that he or she has lost vision in one eye.
- Patients suffering from NAION have blurred or darkened vision which obstructs their field of view. They also experience decrease in color vision as well as decrease in contrast in vision.
- 15% of victims who suffer through NAION in one eye are diagnosed with NAION in their other eye, as well.
- The vast majority of victims with a NAION diagnosis, suffer through vision loss will not get better as time goes by. Certain victims will endure their vision getting progressively worse-subsequent to initial loss of vision. Source: Ischemic Optic Neuropathy, Cleveland Clinic, available at Cleveland clinic
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Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION) is a serious, terrifying and irreversible eye condition (sometimes called “eye stroke” in certain circles) that can lead to abrupt, out of the blue, vision loss in one eye which lacks pain. NAION constitutes a severe eye condition that leads to sudden, usually painless, loss of vision or blurry vision as a result of low blood flow to the optic nerve. NAION may manifest itself without warning, literally, often within hours. NAION occurs if blood flow to the optic nerve is blocked, reduced or lowered, which may cause blindness. The optic nerve will fail to regenerate. NAION causes optic nerve damage and unexplained loss of vision. Poonja S, Chen JJ. Re-examining the putative association between GLP-1 receptor agonists and nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy. Ann Eye Sci 2025; 10:5–5. [Google Scholar] NAION is the 2nd biggest cause of vision loss linked to optic nerve damage after glaucoma.
Nonethless, many victims using GLP-1 prescriptions are oblivious to it before their NAION diagnosis. Such vision loss often occurs overnight. NAION may also lead to a change in color perception as well as progressive loss of vision. NAION is particularly problematic because it cannot be managed or even improved with top of the line medical intervention. The American Academy of Opthamology declared that NAION is the most ubiquitous cause of acute optic nerve damage in victims over 49 years of age. Even though NAION frequently occurs, numerous aspects of it remain unknown or perhaps unproven. NAION’s pathogenesis and worthwhile treatments remain relatively unknown. Hathaway JT, Shah MP, Hathaway DB, et al. Risk of nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy in patients prescribed semaglutide. JAMA Ophthalmology 2024;142:732–39. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
What is Semaglutide?
Semaglutide is the active ingredient in Ozempic® and Wegovy®, both weight loss drugs. Recently, there have been numerous reports of worrisome side effects caused by Semaglutide. Many of these side effects were not part of any warnings on the drugs.
Who Is Eligible to File a Lawsuit for Ozempic Blindness?
A victim may qualify to file a lawsuit if the victim meets the Ozempic lawsuit criteria: