FAQ
GLP-1 Medications and NAION Vision Loss Lawsuit
GLP-1 receptor agonists, widely prescribed to treat Type 2 diabetes and weight loss, have been linked to a higher risk of NAION. Recent medical research, including a study published in JAMA Ophthalmology, found that patients prescribed semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) experienced NAION at a rate over 7 times higher than those on other medications.
Another study conducted in Denmark found that patients using semaglutide had more than double the risk of developing NAION compared to those on other diabetes medications. These findings raise serious concerns about patient safety and the adequacy of warnings provided by manufacturers.
What is NAION?
NAION (non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy) is a sudden loss of vision caused by reduced blood flow to the optic nerve. It is the second most common optic neuropathy and often results in permanent blindness in one or both eyes.
Symptoms of NAION Vision Loss
Patients experiencing NAION after taking GLP-1 medications have reported:
- Sudden vision loss upon waking
- Blurred or foggy vision
- Dark or shadowy areas in vision
- Loss of color perception
- Increased sensitivity to light
- Headache or eye pain in some cases
NAION is typically irreversible.
Studies Linking GLP-1 Medications to NAION
Several peer-reviewed studies have confirmed an increased risk of NAION in patients taking GLP-1 drugs:
- Harvard Medical School & Mass General Brigham Study (JAMA Ophthalmology, 2024)
- 9% of diabetic patients taking semaglutide developed NAION, compared to 1.8% on other diabetes drugs (a 4-fold increased risk).
- For overweight patients, the risk was greater than 7.6 times higher compared with other medications.
- Danish Nationwide Study (2024)
- Examined 424,152 Type 2 diabetes patients over five years.
- Found a 2.19 times higher risk of developing NAION for patients prescribed weekly semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy).
- JAMA Case Series Study (2025)
- Identified seven cases of NAION linked to GLP-1 medications, with rapid progression to blindness in some cases.
European Medicines Agency Investigation
On January 17, 2025, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee launched a review of semaglutide medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy due to the increased risk of developing NAION. The EMA is in the process of reviewing available data from clinical trials, post-marketing surveillance, and medical literature.
Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly Face GLP-1 NAION Vision Loss Lawsuits
Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are facing lawsuits by people who developed NAION vision loss after taking their GLP-1 medications.
People who used GLP-1 medications including Ozempic, Trulicity, Wegovy, Saxenda, Victoza, Mounjaro, Rybelsus, or Zepbound and were diagnosed with NAION or experienced sudden vision loss in one eye may be eligible for compensation.