The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has directed manufacturers of popular diabetes and weight-loss medications to include warnings about a rare eye condition that could lead to permanent vision loss.
The warning applies to around a dozen GLP-1 medications, available in both injectable and pill forms. These include widely prescribed brands such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound.
The condition, known as non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, or NAION, occurs when blood supply to the optic nerve decreases. The FDA has reported cases associated with all GLP-1 drugs, although the exact underlying cause remains unclear.
People affected by NAION may experience blurred eyesight, blind spots, unusual colour perception and other vision-related problems. The agency has advised patients experiencing these symptoms to seek immediate medical attention.
The FDA began examining the potential risk after a 2024 medical study identified a possible link between NAION and semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, manufactured by Novo Nordisk.
According to the agency’s assessment of more than 125 clinical trials, approximately six cases were recorded for every 100,000 patients who used GLP-1 medication for at least a year.
