Wegovy users may have 5 times risk of vision loss than those on Ozempic

• As the use of GLP-1 medications for weight loss continues to grow, researchers are examining how these drugs may affect other areas of our health.
• Previous studies have shown a potential link between GLP-1 use and non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), an eye condition that can cause vision loss.
• A new study found that Wegovy users may be at the highest risk of developing ION — an umbrella term for conditions including NAION — compared with users of other semaglutide-based GLP-1s.
• Scientists also found that this ION risk is almost three times higher in men than in women.

As the use of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists for weight loss continues to grow, there has also been a steady increase in research examining GLP-1s and their potential impact on other areas of our health.

One such area is eye health. Previous studies have shown a potential link between GLP-1 use and blurry vision, diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), which is a condition that can potentially lead to vision loss.

Now, a new study published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology reports that Wegovy users may be at the highest risk of developing ischemic optic neuropathy (ION) — an umbrella term for conditions including NAION — when compared to other semaglutide-based GLP-1s.

Researchers also found that this ION risk is almost three times higher in men than in women.