Ozempic Vision Loss

Research has found that semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, can cause eye problems, including vision changes, blurred vision, aggravated diabetic retinopathy and macular concerns. One 2024 study linked Ozempic to a rare eye disease that can result in sudden loss of vision. 

This study focused on 1,700 patients taking semaglutide who were diabetic, overweight or obese. After three years, the outcomes of those who took semaglutide were compared with those who didn’t take the medication. Some participants developed a condition of the optic nerve that can cause blindness. The condition was non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION).

• Study participants who took semaglutide for diabetes were four times more likely to develop NAION than those who didn’t take the drug. 
• Study participants who took semaglutide for weight loss were seven times more likely to develop NAION than those who didn’t take the drug. 

Research indicates that Ozempic use may affect an individual’s vision in a number of ways. However, exactly how it does so is not fully understood. Some theorize that semaglutide might influence vascular health and blood flow, causing the optic nerve to receive inadequate amounts of blood. Others hypothesize that as a GLP-1 agonist, semaglutide may activate GLP-1 receptors, affecting blood supply to the optic nerve. 

Anyone who has diabetes can develop eye problems. However, your risk may be higher if you: 

• Are pregnant
• Do not have control over your blood sugar levels
• Have been diabetic for an extended period of time
• Have high cholesterol
• Smoke tobacco products

At first, diabetic eye problems typically don’t show any symptoms. However, people with diabetes should be on the lookout for sudden changes in their vision that could indicate a serious problem. Some signs to look for include: 

• A dark shadow over part of your vision
• Eye pain or redness
• Flashes of light
• Floaters
• Loss of vision

If you are experiencing vision issues after using Ozempic, follow up with your doctor. After seeking medical care, consider contacting an Ozempic lawyer.

Does Ozempic cause blurry vision?

Ozempic may cause blurry vision. Semaglutide controls blood sugar by discharging a hormone known as GLP-1. This stimulates the body to make more insulin to decrease blood sugar. When blood sugar levels change, the shape of the eye’s lens is affected. This change may lead to blurry vision, an alleged side effect of Ozempic. 

Ozempic may cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), especially in people who take the medication along with insulin or other diabetes drugs. If your blood sugar gets too low, it can cause symptoms or serious health problems, such as dizziness, blurred vision or seizures. 

A 2020 study analyzed adverse effects associated with GLP-1 receptor agonists reported to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) between 2018 and 2019. Of the 140 adverse ocular events connected to Ozempic, 47 were cases of blurred vision. 

Ozempic eye pain

People with diabetic retinopathy (DR) may experience eye pain. DR is an eye condition caused by high sugar levels in the blood. There are two types of DR: early and advanced. Advanced DR is the more severe type. It can cause pain or pressure to build in the eyeball, leading to glaucoma. 

DR occurs when high blood sugar levels damage the blood vessels in the retina. This damage can cause the blood vessels to leak, potentially leading to vision loss. Advanced DR may be treated by injecting medications into the eye to stop new blood vessels from growing and decrease fluid buildup. They may cause mild discomfort, including increased pressure and pain. 

NAION is a condition that occurs when blood flow to the optic nerve is blocked. This can cause immediate, painless loss of vision in one eye. Here is a breakdown of the condition’s name to help understand how it negatively impacts vision: 

• Non-arteritic: Reduced blood flow with no inflammation
• Anterior: Reduced blood flow occurring where the optic nerve meets the eye
• Ischemic: Diminished blood flow
• Optic neuropathy: Optic nerve damage prevents visual information from being relayed to the brain

NAION typically occurs suddenly. Vision loss can be mild to severe and there is no cure for the condition. As many as 10% of NAION patients feel pain, which might be a symptom of another cause for the vision loss. 

NAION symptoms include: 

• Blurred vision
• Distortion of color
• Loss of peripheral vision
• Loss of contract or sensitivity to light
• Seeing dark or gray spots that don’t move 

In July 2024, Dr. Joseph Rizzo published research connecting Ozempic and Wegovy use to an increased risk of NAION in diabetic or overweight patients. He called NAION “in effect, a stroke of the optic nerve." Dr. Rizzo is the director of neuro-ophthalmology at Mass Eye and Ear in Boston and was the study’s senior author.

Although both NAION and diabetic retinopathy (DR) can lead to blindness in people with diabetes, they are distinct conditions. 

• NAION is caused by reduced or lack of blood flow to the optic nerve. It appears suddenly and gets worse over the next few days before it stabilizes. 
• DR is caused by too much blood sugar damaging the retina. DR is a progressive condition. As it advances, it damages the macula, the part of the retina that controls central vision, color vision and fine detail. 

DR can lead to vision loss and blindness in people with diabetes. After a period of time, DR damages the blood vessels in the retina, the part of the eye that detects light and sends signals to the brain. DR interferes with blood flow by blocking blood vessels, causing them to bleed or leak fluid.

The initial stages of DR usually have no symptoms. Some people experience random changes in their vision, challenges with reading or difficulty seeing distant objects. As the condition progresses, blood vessels in the retina begin to leak into the gel-like fluid that fills the eye. If bleeding occurs, a person with DR might see dark spots or streaks that resemble floating cobwebs. The spots might resolve on their own. Treatment should be sought as soon as possible. Delay can cause scars to take shape in the back of the eye, blood vessels may resume bleeding or the bleeding might worsen. 

Research has found a link between Ozempic use and worsening DR in people who already have the condition. The connection could be related to the rapid stabilization of blood sugar levels that occurs when diabetic patients begin to take Ozempic. Keeping blood sugar levels stable is important for the management of diabetes. However, changes (even positive ones) can aggravate DR before it improves. 

Approximately 23 cases of DR associated with Ozempic use have been reported to the FDA between 2018 and 2019. The number of reported adverse events related to DR was dramatically higher for Ozempic compared to other GLP-1 medications like Tanzeum, Trulicity, and Victoza, and for traditional diabetes drugs like metformin. 
Diabetic retinopathy is sometimes misdiagnosed in people using Ozempic. However, they may still have a legal claim for injuries. People with true diabetic retinopathy might still be eligible for an Ozempic lawsuit because the diabetic retinopathy warning on the Ozempic label may be inadequate.

If you or a loved one have experienced Ozempic side effects that were not disclosed on the warning label (or were added after you started the drug), you may be eligible for an Ozempic lawsuit. Speak with a Motley Rice Ozempic lawyer to determine if you have a case for side effects regarding vision loss that were not fully explained on the Ozempic label.

Our medical attorneys have represented thousands of patients seriously hurt by prescription and over-the-counter drugs, including diabetes drugs.

If you believe Ozempic use caused you or someone you love to experience vision loss, attorneys at our law firm have the resources needed to thoroughly investigate and:

• Identify potentially harmful medications
• Investigate whether the medicine harmed you
• Review the medicine manufacturer’s compliance with FDA regulations
• Examine the adequacy of the manufacturer's warning to you about potential side effects
• Evaluate other issues that might affect your potential case

Learn more about our medical drug experience here.

Do not stop taking a prescribed medication without first consulting with your doctor. Discontinuing a prescribed medication without your doctor's advice can result in injury or death. Ozempic, Wegovy, Victoza, Tanzeum and Trulicity remain approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.