A recent study suggests that people prescribed semaglutide, commonly known as Wegovy and Ozempic, for weight loss or diabetes may face a heightened risk of developing a serious eye condition that could lead to blindness.
The study, published in JAMA Ophthalmology and conducted by researchers at Harvard University, analyzed data from 16,827 patients treated at Mass Eye and Ear Harvard teaching hospital over six years. They found that individuals with type 2 diabetes who took semaglutide were over four times more likely to be diagnosed with non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), a condition where arteries supplying blood to the optic nerve become blocked, leading to potential vision loss.
Among patients with diabetes in the study, those on semaglutide experienced 17 NAION events compared to six among those on other diabetes medications. Similarly, individuals who were overweight or obese and prescribed semaglutide were more than seven times more likely to develop NAION than those using other weight-loss drugs.
Over a three-year period, approximately 8.9% of diabetes patients on semaglutide and 6.7% of overweight or obese individuals on semaglutide experienced NAION, compared to significantly lower rates among those using alternative treatments.
Professor Joseph Rizzo from Harvard medical school cautioned that while significant, these findings warrant further investigation in larger and more diverse populations. He emphasized the importance of discussing these risks with patients, particularly those with existing optic nerve issues.
Graham McGeown, honorary professor at Queen’s University Belfast, highlighted the need for additional research given the expanding use of semaglutide beyond diabetes and obesity treatments.
Semaglutide, marketed as Wegovy since 2023 for weight loss on the NHS, has prompted Novo Nordisk, its manufacturer, to underscore their commitment to patient safety while noting that NAION is not currently listed as an adverse drug reaction in their product information.
This study underscores the importance of balancing potential benefits of medications like semaglutide with careful consideration of associated risks, particularly in patients with underlying eye conditions.
