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Can Ozempic Cause Blindness?
Some Ozempic patients have reported permanent vision loss, blurry vision, and other issues with their eyesight. In particular, Ozempic use has been linked to patient reports of blurry vision, worsening diabetic retinopathy, and a rare form of eye stroke known as non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) that can cause blindness in one or both eyes.
Below are some answers to common questions about Ozempic’s links to serious eye conditions and blindness. We’ll note why these vision problems develop and what can be done to address vision loss. We’ll also mention some other health complications associated with Ozempic use.
If you experienced severe health problems while taking Ozempic, Wegovy, or any of the popular weight loss drugs on the market, the attorneys at Bursor & Fisher, P.A. can discuss your eligibility to seek compensation in a lawsuit.
What Is Ozempic and How Does It Work?
Ozempic is the brand name of an injectable semaglutide medication originally made to help manage type 2 diabetes. The drug was developed by Novo Nordisk, a pharmaceutical company headquartered in Denmark. Ozempic received initial FDA approval for diabetes treatment in 2017. In recent years, it’s been prescribed off-label to treat obesity and promote weight loss.
Ozempic is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1). GLP-1 is a naturally occurring hormone in the body that helps regulate blood sugar and feelings of hunger. GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic mimic this hormone, causing the following effects in the body:
- Increased insulin production and lower blood sugar
- Slowed down gastric emptying and digestion
- Reduced sensations of hunger throughout the day
People lose weight on Ozempic because they feel full for long stretches of the day and wind up consuming fewer calories.
Does Ozempic Affect People’s Vision?
The answer is yes, Ozempic can potentially affect a person’s vision. In rare and severe cases, an Ozempic patient may go blind. However, there are larger questions about the role Ozempic and a person’s general health play in these vision fluctuations.
Both diabetes and obesity can contribute to different medical conditions that affect a person’s ocular health and the quality of their vision. Medications like Ozempic may or may not contribute to vision issues linked to a person’s existing vision problems or health conditions.
More research is required on the effects of Ozempic on ocular health. Additionally, more data is needed to learn how Ozempic use affects the eye conditions commonly experienced by diabetics and people with obesity.
Can I File a Lawsuit Against Novo Nordisk for Vision Loss Related to Ozempic Use?
Potentially, yes.
If you took Ozempic or Wegovy and lost your eyesight, you may be eligible to file a legal claim against Novo Nordisk and seek compensation. The attorneys of Bursor & Fisher, P.A. can provide additional information about GLP-1 litigation as part of a free case evaluation.
What Are the Vision Problems Ozempic Patients Experience?
Vision issues among Ozempic patients, diabetics, and people with obesity tend to involve the following:
- Blurry vision
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION)
Each of these vision conditions will be addressed individually below.
Why Does Ozempic Cause Blurry Vision in Some Patients?
As we noted above, taking Ozempic can change a person’s blood sugar levels. Changes in blood sugar can alter the shape of the lens of the eye. This can lead to blurred vision.
Older patients who take Ozempic may notice more pronounced blurring of their vision because the lens of the eye loses flexibility as part of the natural aging process.
Will My Blurry Vision Improve If I Continue Taking Ozempic?
Potentially, yes. Many people who initially experience blurry vision when they start Ozempic notice improved vision as time passes. This is part of the body getting accustomed to the drug.
How Long Will Blurry Vision from Ozempic Last?
Ozempic patients usually say their vision quality returns to normal after a few weeks to a few months. It can vary from person to person.
Should I Stop Taking Ozempic If My Vision Is Blurry?
If your vision becomes so blurry that it prevents you from driving or accomplishing any other daily tasks, speak with your doctor immediately. Your doctor can let you know if you should stop taking Ozempic as well as what steps to take next.
What Is Diabetic Retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes caused by high blood sugar levels. It affects the retina, the thin, light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye.
High blood sugar can cause the blood vessels in the retina to become blocked or to burst and leak. The condition can also cause the formation of new and abnormal blood vessels in the retina. This can all have a negative effect on the quality of your vision.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy?
The most common signs and symptoms of diabetic retinopathy include:
- Blurred vision
- Dark or blank spots in the field of vision
- Floaters
Can Diabetic Retinopathy Get Worse for Some Ozempic Patients?
Yes, but not always. Some patients have experienced worsening diabetic retinopathy when they start taking Ozempic, while other patients experience long-term vision improvements because Ozempic improves their blood sugar.
More research is needed to determine if there is a connection between worsening diabetic retinopathy and Ozempic, or if there are other factors at play in a person’s general health that contribute to further vision loss.
Can Ozempic Help Reverse Diabetic Retinopathy?
Unfortunately no. Diabetic retinopathy is incurable, and any damage to the retina is permanent.
That said, it’s possible to slow the progression of diabetic retinopathy through diabetes management and lifestyle improvements.
What Is Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION)?
Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy is a lack of blood flow to the optic nerve. It’s one of many conditions classified as an eye stroke.
The optic nerve connects the eye to the brain and is essential for vision. When NAION occurs, it tends to affect just one eye, causing sudden and painless vision loss.
Is Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION) Treatable?
Unfortunately, no. There is no cure for NAION, which means the vision loss is permanent.
There is also a risk of NAION eventually affecting the other eye, causing total blindness.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION)?
Unfortunately, non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy tends to occur without warning. A person may wake up with considerable vision loss in one eye even though their eyesight was fine the day before.
If NAION symptoms are detectable at all, the warning signs typically involve poor light sensitivity or poor contrast sensitivity.
What Is the Link Between Ozempic and Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION)?
There has been some speculation that Ozempic contributes to a higher risk of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy in patients. However, experts caution that more research is required to determine if there is a connection between Ozempic use and NAION.
Keep in mind that NAION is often associated with diabetes, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea, all of which are common in people who are obese. Patients taking Ozempic may have been at a higher risk of eye stroke simply given their health condition.
What Are Other Adverse Health Conditions People Could Develop from Ozempic Use?
Vision loss isn’t the only major health concern associated with GLP-1 drugs. In addition to a heightened risk of pancreatitis and gallstones, Ozempic patients have also suffered from these issues affecting the gastrointestinal tract:
- Severe and Prolonged Vomiting – While nausea and some vomiting are normal side effects of Ozempic use, some patients experience vomit several times or more a day for two weeks or longer. This can cause severe dehydration, malnutrition, injuries to the esophagus, acidic erosion of a person’s tooth enamel, and the loss of teeth.
- Stomach Paralysis (Gastroparesis) – Stomach paralysis is when the nerves and muscles of the stomach do not push food into the small intestine to get digested. If this condition is left untreated, gastroparesis could contribute to malnutrition, dehydration, the formation of a bezoar (a solid mass in the stomach), and a host of other medical problems.
- Intestinal Blockages – An intestinal blockage is an obstruction in the small intestine or part of the large intestine that prevents food from passing through a person’s GI tract. If not treated, an intestinal blockage could cause death of the surrounding intestinal tissue and infection of the abdominal cavity (peritonitis).
- Bowel Obstruction – Bowel obstructions are intestinal blockages that affect the large intestine and colon. Like blockage of the small intestine, bowel obstructions could lead to tissue death, peritonitis, or sepsis without proper treatment.
Why Choose Bursor & Fisher, P.A. for Your Ozempic Vision Loss Lawsuit
The attorneys of Bursor & Fisher, P.A. are nationwide leaders in complex, high-stakes litigation. With offices in Miami, New York City, and the San Francisco Bay Area, our law firm has represented more than 160 million people in legal actions—that’s roughly 1 in every 2 Americans.
Since 2008, our law firm has secured numerous multi-million dollar verdicts in large complex lawsuits. This includes a recent $267 million jury verdict against a debt collector who was found to have violated the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.
In addition to offering free case reviews, Bursor & Fisher, P.A. operates on a contingency fee basis. That means you don’t pay our lawyers anything unless we can recover money for you.
How Can I Learn More About Taking Legal Action for Ozempic Complications?
If you’ve experienced vision loss due to the use of Ozempic, you may be eligible for compensation. To learn more about taking legal action against the makers of Ozempic and similar weight loss injection drugs, contact Bursor & Fisher, P.A. for a free case review.
Bursor & Fisher, P.A. is not a medical provider. The information on this website is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as, nor should it be considered a substitute for, professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.