GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro have helped millions of people lose weight, manage diabetes, and improve heart health. For many, these medications have been life-changing but for some problems including vision loss have occured.
Effective treatments, like GLP-1 drugs, are rarely risk-free. In fact, these same medications are now being investigated for some serious and potentially permanent side effects, including vision loss. Ozempic, Wegovy, and other GLP-1 drugs can be extremely beneficial for those looking to control their blood sugar levels or weight. Issues like nausea, diarrhea and “Ozempic face” (the gaunt look you get from rapid weight loss) are well-known and even expected. However, recent studies suggest that some patients are facing dangerous complications affecting their eyes, and they aren’t getting the warnings they need.
Common Side Effects of GLP-1 Drugs
Let’s start with what we already know. People who take semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy) or tirzepatide (Mounjaro) frequently report:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Decreased appetite
These side effects can be uncomfortable, but they’re generally short-term and manageable for most patients.
Less Common, More Concerning: Eye and Vision Problems
More recently, researchers have started sounding the alarm about vision complications, including:
- NAION (Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy) – sudden, painless vision loss caused by damage to the optic nerve.
- Diabetic Retinopathy – a condition that affects blood vessels in the retina, and especially dangerous if blood sugar improves too quickly.
- nAMD (Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration) – abnormal blood vessel growth that can lead to central vision loss.
- Blurry or fluctuating vision
- Eye pain
These are not just uncomfortable, temporary side effects; these are serious problems that can lead to permanent loss of vision if not diagnosed correctly and treated promptly.
What’s Going On? A Quick Look at the Mechanism
GLP-1 receptor agonists can help lower blood sugar and promote weight loss by mimicking a natural hormone that tells your body to release insulin, slow digestion, and reduce appetite.
Researchers believe this rapid drop in blood sugar may stress blood vessels in the eye, especially in people with diabetes or pre-existing eye conditions. In some cases, it may worsen diabetic retinopathy. In others, it may contribute to optic nerve damage like NAION — a condition that often causes sudden vision loss in one eye and has no cure.
The scary part? Even though patients with pre-existing conditions are at a higher risk for these vision problems, many patients experiencing these side effects didn’t have any major eye problems before starting the medication.
What the Research Is Telling Us
Two studies from 2024 have raised big red flags:
A study published in JAMA Ophthalmology found that semaglutide users were over four times more likely to develop NAION than those on other diabetes drugs.
Another study, published in the American Journal of Ophthalmology, used health records from over 37 million people and found that GLP-1 drugs nearly doubled the five-year risk of developing optic nerve damage.
Unfortunately, this isn’t something most people are hearing in Ozempic commercials or from their doctors.
So What Should You Do?
If you’re currently taking a GLP-1 medication (or are considering it) here are a few important tips:
- Talk to your doctor about any history of eye disease, especially diabetic retinopathy or glaucoma.
- Report any changes in vision immediately, including blurriness, dark spots, pain, or loss of vision in one eye.
- Ask for a baseline eye exam before starting a GLP-1 drug, especially if you have diabetes.
- Stay informed: the unfortunate reality is that many side effects only come to light after drugs hit the market and have millions of users.
And if you’ve already experienced vision problems while on these medications, you’re not alone — and you may have legal options.
The Bottom Line
GLP-1 drugs have real benefits, but the risks are becoming harder to ignore. While the uncomfortable digestive side effects may go away, vision loss can be permanent. Symptoms may appear rapidly, or they may be subtle and easily dismissed – this, combined with the fact that patients aren’t properly warned about these side effects, can result in severe outcomes for GLP-1 users. You deserve to know the full picture before making decisions about your health.
How Schlesinger Law Offices Can Help
We’re a nationally recognized personal injury and mass tort firm with decades of experience holding pharmaceutical companies accountable. Our attorneys:
- Investigate potential claims thoroughly
- Work with medical experts to evaluate vision damage
- Handle every step of the legal process — at no cost to you unless we win
If you or a loved one experienced sudden vision changes while taking a drug like Ozempic, you may have a case. Let the GLP-1 lawsuit attorneys at Schlesinger Law offices review your case, answer your questions, and assist you with potential steps forward in securing the justice you deserve.
Click here to read our in-depth guide to GLP-1 vision side effects and legal options.
