A recent report has unveiled a concerning trend involving nine patients in the United States who suffered vision loss after using popular weight loss medications like Ozempic and Mounjaro. The American Academy of Ophthalmology has weighed in on these alarming cases, prompting further investigation into the potential link between these drugs and sudden blindness. One case involved a patient who lost all vision in her left eye after just a single dose of semaglutide, while another patient’s vision impairment occurred after resuming the medication for diabetes management.
The report suggests that a sudden drop in blood sugar levels, attributed to these medications, could damage blood vessels in the eyes, causing inflammation, blocked blood flow, and ultimately leading to blindness. A male patient on tirzepatide for a year developed internal bleeding in his eye, highlighting the potential risks associated with these drugs. Experts warn that rapid changes in blood sugar might temporarily weaken eye vessels, increasing the likelihood of vision impairment.
The risk appears to be significantly higher for individuals who are obese or overweight, with statistics indicating an over sevenfold increase in the likelihood of vision impairment. Furthermore, Ozempic and Wegovy have been linked to NAION, a rare condition affecting only 10 out of every 100,000 people. This condition's occurrence is reportedly four times more likely in diabetic patients consuming semaglutide.
Although the exact cause of these vision problems remains uncertain, researchers suspect that Ozempic and similar medications might trigger such issues by rapidly lowering blood sugar levels. One woman experienced a painless shadow over her left eye after using semaglutide for a year. After discontinuing the medication for two months, she resumed it for diabetes management, only to wake up blind in her right eye.
The emergence of vision loss as a potential side effect of Ozempic and Mounjaro has raised significant concerns among medical professionals. Experts are now actively discussing the possible connection between these medications and sudden blindness, urging patients and healthcare providers to be vigilant.
