Health Research Digest
New Study Links Semaglutide (Wegovy and Ozempic) to Elevated Risk of Severe Eye Condition NAION
Research from Mass Eye and Ear reveals a significant increase in the risk of NAION among semaglutide users.
Semaglutide, under Wegovy and Ozempic brands, has gained popularity in recent years, given its weight loss effect. Parallel to this trend are related concerns in their safety profile. One of these concerns has been highlighted by the recent study led by Mass Eye and Ear researchers. The research in question has unveiled a link between the use of Semaglutide, a popular type 2 diabetes and weight management medication, and an elevated risk of developing nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). Latter is a rare but severe eye condition that can cause sudden vision loss.
Study Insights
The mentioned study published in JAMA Ophthalmology reveals that patients with diabetes who were prescribed semaglutide were four times more likely to develop NAION compared to those on other antidiabetic medications. More startling, patients who used semaglutide for weight management had more than seven times higher risk of blindness than those on other weight-loss drugs.
