Ozempic Users at Risk of Rare ‘Eye Stroke’: What You Need to Know About NAION and Vision Loss
Ozempic Users at Risk of Rare 'Eye Stroke': What You Need to Know About NAION and Vision Loss
Some people use medicines like Ozempic or Wegovy to manage type 2 diabetes or to lose weight. These medicines can help in many ways. But now, doctors are looking into a rare eye problem that may be linked to these drugs. The problem is called NAION, which stands for non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy. It is also known as an “eye stroke”.
This condition happens when the blood flow to the optic nerve suddenly drops. When this happens, the nerve can get damaged, and it may cause vision loss. It usually affects one eye and can happen without any warning. People might suddenly lose vision or see a dark spot in their sight. Sometimes, the vision may become blurry or dim. This can be scary and needs quick medical care.
The European Medicines Agency, a group that checks the safety of medicines in Europe, has added this eye condition as a very rare side effect of semaglutide. Semaglutide is the main ingredient in both Ozempic and Wegovy. They say this side effect may happen in about 1 out of every 10,000 people.
That means it is very rare, but not impossible. Some doctors believe that people who already have diabetes or other health issues like high blood pressure or sleep apnoea might have a slightly higher chance of getting this condition.
It is not fully clear why this happens. Some experts think it may be linked to sudden changes in blood sugar levels. Ozempic and Wegovy can cause these changes. The optic nerve needs steady blood flow to work properly. When that flow changes too quickly, it might hurt the nerve and affect the vision.
Even though the risk is low, people using these medicines should be aware of this issue. If someone suddenly cannot see well from one eye or notices any strange vision changes, they should get help from a doctor right away. Acting fast may help protect their eyesight.
Doctors say there is no need to panic. These medicines help many people. But if a person already has health problems, it is a good idea to talk to their doctor about this risk. Understanding the pros and cons can help people make safe choices about their health.
