From the FDA Drug Label
Diabetic Retinopathy Complications Inform patients to contact their physician if changes in vision are experienced during treatment with OZEMPIC [see Warnings and Precautions (5. 3)].
Ozempic (semaglutide) may be associated with changes in vision, and patients are advised to contact their physician if they experience any changes in vision during treatment. However, the label does not explicitly state that Ozempic can cause vision loss or blindness. Therefore, a conservative clinical decision would be to monitor patients for any changes in vision while on Ozempic treatment, as the evidence is not clear. 1 1
From the Research
Ozempic (Semaglutide) and Vision Loss
- Ozempic (semaglutide) has been associated with an increased risk of nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), a condition that can cause severe and irreversible visual loss 2, 3.
- A retrospective matched cohort study found that the cumulative incidence of NAION was higher in patients prescribed semaglutide compared to those prescribed non-GLP-1 RA medications, with a hazard ratio of 4.28 and 7.64 in patients with type 2 diabetes and overweight/obesity, respectively 2.
- A longitudinal cohort study of 424,152 persons with type 2 diabetes in Denmark found that once-weekly semaglutide exposure was associated with a higher incidence rate and independently predicted a higher risk of NAION, with a hazard ratio of 2.19 3.
- Another study suggested that semaglutide may be associated with the progression and worsening of diabetic retinopathy, although the exact mechanism is still debated 4.
- Common adverse events reported with semaglutide include gastrointestinal events, pancreatitis, diabetic retinopathy, and severe allergic reactions, which may also affect vision 5.
Key Findings
- The use of semaglutide has been linked to an increased risk of NAION, a condition that can cause permanent vision loss 2, 3.
- The risk of NAION associated with semaglutide is higher in patients with type 2 diabetes and overweight/obesity 2.
- Further studies are needed to assess the causality and mechanisms underlying the association between semaglutide and NAION 2, 3.