Millions of individuals undergo treatment with weight loss and diabetes injections annually, but health authorities are cautioning patients to be vigilant for a particular serious symptom that could impact their eyesight.
The warning pertains to medications containing semaglutide such as Wegovy, Ozempic, and Rybelsus. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) advises users experiencing sudden vision issues to seek immediate medical attention.
This alert is linked to a rare eye condition called non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), which affects the optic nerve and can result in abrupt vision loss, potentially permanent in some instances.
According to the MHRA, individuals taking semaglutide should promptly seek medical assistance if they encounter “sudden loss or rapid deterioration of eyesight.” The regulator recommends discontinuing treatment if NAION is confirmed.
NAION occurs when blood flow to the optic nerve diminishes, causing harm to the nerve tissue responsible for transmitting visual signals to the brain. Manchester Royal Eye Hospital describes NAION as a “mini stroke” of the optic nerve but without typical stroke symptoms.
The hospital indicates that NAION is a prevalent cause of sudden vision loss related to the optic nerve in individuals over 50, with risk factors including diabetes, high blood pressure, and smoking.
Symptoms typically manifest abruptly and painlessly, with patients often noticing blurred, cloudy, or missing areas in their vision, typically affecting one eye.
The MHRA’s caution follows an assessment of evidence examining the safety of semaglutide drugs. Large epidemiological studies reported that adults with type 2 diabetes taking semaglutide had a doubled risk of developing NAION compared to non-users.
Despite the rarity of the condition, health officials stress that the MHRA classifies the side effect as “very rare,” affecting an estimated one in 10,000 individuals taking the medication.
Semaglutide, found in Wegovy for weight loss and in Ozempic and Rybelsus for treating type 2 diabetes, has seen a surge in prescriptions due to increased demand for weight management solutions.
The MHRA stresses that patients should not discontinue prescribed medication without consulting a healthcare professional, as the overall benefits of semaglutide outweigh known risks when used appropriately.
Research from the National Centre for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) identifies NAION as a leading cause of sudden vision loss in older adults, commonly presenting as sudden, painless vision loss in one eye, often noticed upon waking.
Individuals taking semaglutide who encounter sudden vision loss, blurred vision, or rapidly deteriorating eyesight are urged to seek immediate medical evaluation. Early assessment can aid doctors in identifying symptoms’ cause and determining if treatment should continue.
