Drugs With Semaglutide Linked to Nonarteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION)
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December 2024 Update: There is a significant development concerning eye-related side effects of Ozempic and other semaglutide drugs. Two large medical studies from Denmark presented more evidence of a link between Ozempic and an eye condition called NAION (non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy), finding that people who used Ozempic have more than a two-times increased risk of developing this serious eye side effect, which can cause vision loss and blindness.
These two recent studies serve to confirm what was first reported in a July 2024 medical journal article, that Wegovy, Rybelsus, and Ozempic are linked to eye problems because semaglutide, which is the active ingredient for each of these three drugs, is associated with NAION.
Eye-related side effects of Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus with possible vision loss is a drug safety issue for these semaglutide-containing medications from Novo Nordisk that is generally unknown to many.
Here is what you need to know:
- Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus are drugs with semaglutide as their active ingredient.
- Semaglutide has been linked to nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION).
- NAION is sometimes referred to as an “eye stroke,” and it occurs when there is a lack of sufficient blood flow to the optic nerve.
- NAION typically causes sudden vision loss and, in severe cases, can lead to blindness.
- There are currently no proven treatments for NAION.
The current drug labels for Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus do not warn about eye-related side effects, such as possible vision loss.
We are looking into possible drug injury lawsuits for patients who developed eye-related side effects of Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus from Novo Nordisk.
Drug injury lawsuits involving Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus for patients with vision loss due to nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) would be filed against Novo Nordisk for its failure to warn about any eye problems such as vision loss.
And because there are no warnings in the current drug labels about an increased risk of eye-related side effects for Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus, those drug injury cases would not be filed against patients’ doctors.
Free Case Evaluation for Eye-related Side Effects of Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus
We encourage you to submit an Ozempic / Wegovy / Rybelsus Vision Loss Case Evaluation Form online – it is free, confidential, and there is no obligation. Or, if you prefer, call 910-256-2971 to speak directly to attorney Tom Lamb about a possible Ozempic, Wegovy, or Rybelsus drug injury lawsuit. Either way, you will get Mr. Lamb’s impressions – not an intake person, a paralegal, or some other lawyer – about your case based on his over 20 years of experience handling drug injury cases.
Most Recent Article About Eye-related Side Effects of Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus With Vision Loss
Ozempic NAION Rate Higher in Recent 2025 Medical Study
It has been reported during the past couple of years that drugs with the active ingredient semaglutide, such as Ozempic, can increase the risk of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). However, a new study presented this week at the 2025 annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology set the Ozempic NAION rate higher than we had seen previously.
To read more of this article, click below:
From an October 20, 2025, News Release from the American Academy of Ophthalmology, “Do GLP-1 Drugs like Ozempic Cause or Prevent Vision Loss?“:
Researchers in an international collaboration across the University of Ottawa Eye Institute, University of Toronto, McMaster University, and Doheny Eye Institute UCLA conducted one of the largest global studies on the topic to date. Using data from the World Health Organization’s global database of drug safety reports, the authors analyzed data on 117,173 patients with diabetes taking semaglutide [Ozempic, as well as Rybelsus and Wegovy](GLP-1 drugs), empagliflozin, exenatide, tirzepatide, or insulin.
Results showed that people using GLP-1 drugs were 68.6 times more likely to develop NAION and eight times more likely to develop diabetic retinopathy than those taking empagliflozin, exenatide, insulin or metformin. The analysis found no significant association between tirzepatide (the active ingredient in other GLP-1 medications including Mounjaro and Zepbound) and NAION or diabetic retinopathy. [Emphasis added]
The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) is the world’s largest association of eye physicians and surgeons. So it makes this “Ozempic NAION rate higher” announcement significant.
The earlier Ozempic NAION rates, which were significantly lower, had already resulted in drug injury lawsuits being filed by patients against the responsible pharmaceutical company, Novo Nordisk.
Here is an April 2025 Drug Injury Watch article that you can read to learn more about lawsuits involving NAION, titled “Ozempic Vision Loss Lawsuits Have Been Filed by Patients Against Novo Nordisk“. That article lists some of the legal liability allegations regarding Novo Nordisk’s actions and failures. It also points out that the current Ozempic drug label does not warn about NAION as a possible eye side effect that can cause vision loss or blindness.
One wonders whether a medical study with the Ozempic NAION rate higher, as announced by this October 2025 AAO News Release, might increase the number of Ozempic vision loss lawsuits.
If you are interested in a possible Ozempic lawsuit seeking legal compensation for your NAION eye side effect, you can submit an Online Case Evaluation Form. It is free, confidential, and there is no obligation. We will reply to you no later than the next business day.
[Read the article in full at source]Earlier articles about eye-related side effects of Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus:
- Ozempic and Mounjaro Increased Risk of NAION More Than Other Diabetes Drugs
- Link Between Ozempic and NAION Also Involves the Eye Disorder AION
- Ozempic Blindness Legal Cases Filed Against Novo Nordisk in April 2025
- Vision Loss Linked to Ozempic and Rybelsus Use by Diabetes Patients
- Ozempic Eye Problems Caused by Semaglutide-Related NAION
- Ozempic Linked to Vision Loss With Increased Risk of NAION Side Effect
- Ozempic Side Effects Include Eye Problems With Possible Vision Loss
Other articles about Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus by attorney Tom Lamb on the Side Effects Blog:
- Deep Vein Thrombosis When Using Wegovy, Rybelsus, or Ozempic
- Wegovy / Rybelsus / Ozempic Deep Vein Thrombosis Side Effects
- Symptoms and Diagnosis of Weight-Loss Drugs Gastroparesis Side Effects for Ozempic, Rybelsus, Wegovy, and Trulicity
- Wegovy, Rybelsus, and Ozempic Linked to Gastroparesis by Medical Study
- Ozempic Intestinal Blockage and Obstruction Cases Increasing
- Ozempic, Rybelsus, and Wegovy Use Might Cause Gastroparesis, Gastric Stasis, or Stomach Paralysis
- Ozempic-Related Gastroparesis, Stomach Paralysis, Intestinal Blockages