Patients in the U.S. are filing lawsuits against pharmaceutical companies after experiencing sudden vision loss allegedly linked to the popular GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) medications, including Ozempic and Wegovy.
According to the Wall Street Journal on September 19, patients claim they developed non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) after taking GLP-1 drugs. They are pursuing legal action against manufacturers Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly.
NAION is a condition characterized by a sudden loss of vision due to reduced blood flow to the optic nerve, and once vision is damaged, recovery is often unlikely.
A personal injury law firm in the U.S. has filed over 90 lawsuits in New Jersey on behalf of patients who developed NAION after using Ozempic or Wegovy. Additional lawsuits have been filed in federal court in Philadelphia, alleging that the companies failed to adequately warn about the potential risk of NAION.
However, medical opinions on the causal relationship between GLP-1 medications and vision loss are divided. Some studies suggest that taking semaglutide may increase the risk of NAION by two to eight times, while research funded by Novo Nordisk found no significant association.
The fact that many patients using GLP-1 drugs already belong to high-risk groups for NAION, such as those with diabetes, hypertension, or heart disease, complicates the analysis of the situation.
Regulatory responses vary by country. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating the potential link but has not yet added warning labels. In contrast, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has classified NAION as a 'very rare side effect' and recommended adding a warning to product information.
In Denmark, where Novo Nordisk is headquartered, 27 patients have already received over $1.5 million in compensation through a government program for drug side effects.
Experts urge careful consideration of the purpose of medication use. While the benefits of the drugs may outweigh the risks for treating diabetes or cardiovascular conditions, those seeking weight loss should weigh the potential benefits against the risks more cautiously.
The American Optometric Association also recommends that patients undergo an eye examination to assess the condition of their optic nerves before starting GLP-1 treatment.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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