From the Guidelines
If you're experiencing monocular blurred vision while taking a GLP-1 medication, you should contact your healthcare provider promptly as this could indicate a potential side effect requiring medical attention. While GLP-1 medications can occasionally cause vision changes, monocular (one-eye) blurring specifically is not a typical side effect and may indicate a different underlying issue. Some GLP-1 medications have been associated with diabetic retinopathy complications in patients with pre-existing retinopathy, but this typically affects both eyes, as noted in a study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology 1. Rapid blood sugar changes from these medications can sometimes temporarily affect vision as the eye's lens adapts to changing glucose levels. However, one-sided vision changes could potentially indicate more serious conditions unrelated to the medication, such as retinal problems, optic nerve issues, or even neurological concerns.
According to the most recent guidelines from the American Diabetes Association, diabetic retinopathy is a highly specific neurovascular complication of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, with prevalence strongly related to both the duration of diabetes and the level of glycemic management 2. The guidelines recommend implementing strategies to help people with diabetes reach glycemic goals to reduce the risk or slow the progression of diabetic retinopathy. A meta-analysis of data from cardiovascular outcomes studies showed no association between glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) treatment and retinopathy per se, except through the association between retinopathy and average A1C reduction at the 3-month and 1-year follow-up 2.
Do not discontinue your medication without medical advice, but do seek prompt evaluation from an eye specialist or your prescribing physician to determine the cause and appropriate treatment. It is essential to follow the recommended doses and indications for GLP-1RAs, as well as to monitor for potential adverse effects, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, weakness, or dizziness, as outlined in a study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology 3.
Key points to consider:
- GLP-1 medications can cause vision changes, but monocular blurring is not typical
- Diabetic retinopathy complications can occur with GLP-1 medications, especially in patients with pre-existing retinopathy
- One-sided vision changes may indicate a more serious underlying condition
- Seek prompt medical evaluation if experiencing monocular blurred vision while taking a GLP-1 medication
- Follow recommended doses and indications for GLP-1RAs and monitor for potential adverse effects.
From the FDA Drug Label
5.3 Diabetic Retinopathy Complications In a 2-year trial involving patients with type 2 diabetes and high cardiovascular risk, more events of diabetic retinopathy complications occurred in patients treated with OZEMPIC (3.0%) compared to placebo (1. 8%). The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Causes of Blurred Vision in One Eye
The cause of blurred vision in one eye in a patient taking Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is not directly stated in the provided studies. However, the studies suggest that GLP-1 receptor agonists may be associated with an increased risk of diabetic retinopathy progression, which could potentially cause blurred vision.
Diabetic Retinopathy Progression
- A systematic review and meta-analysis found that GLP-1 receptor agonists were associated with an elevated risk of rapidly worsening diabetic retinopathy in patients with type 2 diabetes 4.
- A retrospective cohort study found that the rates of clinical worsening of diabetic retinopathy were similar between patients taking GLP-1 receptor agonists and those taking SGLT-2 inhibitors 5.
- A study found that GLP-1 receptor agonists were not associated with an increased risk of progressing to vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy 6.
- Another study found that GLP-1 receptor agonists were not associated with retinal adverse events in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System 7.
Potential Causes of Blurred Vision
- Diabetic retinopathy progression, which can cause blurred vision, may be associated with GLP-1 receptor agonists 4.
- Vitreous hemorrhage, which can cause blurred vision, was found to be a common type of clinical worsening event in patients taking GLP-1 receptor agonists 5.
- Retinal detachment, which can cause blurred vision, was found to be more prevalent in patients taking GLP-1 receptor agonists at baseline 8.