Risk of vision loss from weight loss drugs; FDA orders warning

Manufacturers of popular weight loss medications, including Ozempic and Zepbound, must now provide warnings regarding a rare eye condition that can lead to loss of vision. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stated on Monday that taking any GLP-1 medication increases the risk of a rare condition known as "Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy" or "NAION."

NAION is a condition where blood flow to a part of the optic nerve decreases, leading to a reduction in vision in one eye, though it occurs without pain. This condition is sometimes referred to as an "eye stroke." No treatment is available for this disease, although its first cases were recorded in the early 19th century.

The FDA stated that cases of NAION have been reported across all GLP-1 RA products currently available on the market. The agency concluded that patients taking GLP-1 RAs have a potentially increased risk of rare NAION events. This decision follows a comprehensive review, including reports received through the FDA's adverse event monitoring system and a study of over 1,34,000 patients.

According to the FDA's analysis, approximately 6 cases of NAION were experienced per 1,00,000 people taking GLP-1 medications annually. In comparison, this number was approximately 4 cases among people taking placebos or other diabetes medications. The FDA further noted that patients with a history of NAION are at a higher risk of recurrence.

This analysis follows a May review by the American Academy of Ophthalmology, which found that the use of semaglutide-based GLP-1s (such as Ozempic and Wegovy) could nearly double the relative risk of NAION.

Some patients have filed lawsuits against pharmaceutical companies, claiming they lost their vision due to these drugs. Jason Goldstein, a lawyer representing the patients, told Newsday in 2025, "People simply wake up and experience this condition. They wake up and cannot see at all. Many lose their peripheral vision. They can lose total vision. I have one client who has lost vision in both eyes."

Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of these drugs, stated that patient safety is their highest priority and the company acknowledges that NAION can have a profound impact on patients and their families. Liz Skrubkova, head of US Media and Stakeholder Relations at Novo, told The Independent, "Novo still believes that the data do not establish a cause-and-effect relationship and we have confidence in the benefit-risk profile of our GLP-1 medications."

A spokesperson for Eli Lilly, another company, told The Independent that patient safety is their top priority and the company is evaluating the FDA update and will respond shortly. They added that they will remain in contact with the agency and continue to review all available data, including ophthalmic events. They advised that anyone experiencing side effects while taking a Lilly medication should speak with their doctor or healthcare professional.

According to a July Gallup poll, approximately 2.8 crore Americans are taking GLP-1 medications. The popularity of these drugs has grown since semaglutide was approved by the FDA and entered the market in 2017. A 2025 study of 1,25,000 patients published by scientists from Pennsylvania and the Pacific Northwest found that nearly half of the patients stop taking these medications in the first year due to gastrointestinal side effects.