Ozempic Weight-Loss Drug Linked to Blindness in New Study

Ozempic, a weight-loss drug often prescribed to patients with diabetes, has been associated with an increased risk of developing a rare vision condition that can lead to blindness, according to a recent study. Researchers at Mass Eye and Ear, a Harvard-affiliated hospital, found that patients taking semaglutide, marketed as Ozempic and Wegovy, were more likely to develop nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). The risk was even higher for overweight or obese patients. NAION is a rare condition that can result in permanent vision loss due to reduced blood flow to the optic nerve. The release of the study caused the stock of Novo Nordisk, the company behind Ozempic, to drop significantly. However, Novo Nordisk remains confident in the drug’s safety based on previous studies. Despite the potential risk, some experts refrain from advising patients to discontinue Ozempic use. While the study does not prove a direct causal relationship, further research is necessary to establish a conclusive link.