A recent review by Utah researchers has raised concerns that popular diabetes and weight loss drugs, such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound, and Mounjaro, might contribute to vision loss and other eye complications. The active ingredients in these medications, semaglutide and tirzepatide, are effective in lowering blood sugar and aiding weight loss. However, the review conducted by the Moran Eye Center suggests that they may work too well, potentially leading to unexpected eye problems, including eye strokes.
Dr. Bradley J. Katz, a neuro-ophthalmologist at the Moran Eye Center, emphasized that the exact cause of these eye complications remains uncertain. “The eye problems identified were atypical enough to raise concerns that these drugs might have played a role,” Katz explained. The study analyzed cases of nine patients who experienced vision issues while on these drugs, and the results were concerning.
Three patients developed potentially blinding conditions affecting the optic nerve, while seven patients experienced nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, a condition commonly referred to as eye stroke. One patient had papillitis, and another developed paracentral acute middle maculopathy. Tragically, the vision loss was irreversible in eight of the nine cases.
Why Do These Drugs Cause Vision Issues?
Researchers hypothesize that the drugs’ ability to lower blood sugar so effectively may be the cause of the eye complications. Dr. Katz noted that the drugs’ rapid blood sugar reduction could cause sudden shifts in the body that affect the eyes. “In some patients, their blood sugar may have dropped too quickly, potentially leading to the eye complications,” he said, suggesting that the problem might stem from the speed of blood sugar changes rather than a direct toxic effect of the drugs themselves.
Ongoing studies are exploring this hypothesis further, as many people are taking these medications, sparking growing interest among scientists to understand the broader implications. Nearly 2% of the U.S. population received a prescription for semaglutide in 2023, making the potential impact of these drugs significant.
What Should Patients Do?
Despite these findings, experts are not advising patients to stop taking weight loss medications. “These drugs are incredibly effective in what they do, and we are not recommending that anyone discontinue them,” Dr. Katz said. However, he recommends that patients taper onto these drugs slowly, under the guidance of a healthcare provider.
Patients who experience vision loss or changes in their vision while on these medications are advised to consult their primary care physician and an ophthalmologist immediately. Katz and other ophthalmologists, along with the American Academy of Ophthalmology, are calling on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to gather more data on this issue to better understand the potential risks and guide future usage of these medications.
The potential risks associated with weight loss drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic highlight the need for careful monitoring and a balanced approach to their use. While these drugs have proven benefits for weight loss, their impact on overall health, particularly eye health, warrants further investigation.
Related Topics:
Weight Loss Drugs: The Hidden Impact on Relationships and Intimacy
Surge in Demand for Weight Loss Injections as Popularity Soars
