Patients using popular weight loss medications like Ozempic and Wegovy are being urged to schedule regular eye examinations due to a potential risk of vision loss. While vision-related side effects are rare, medical experts have raised concerns about a possible link between GLP-1 agonists—such as semaglutide—and a condition known as nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), which could lead to permanent vision loss.
Amber Mehle, a nurse practitioner at Kentucky’s Dermalounge, shared her personal experience with these medications. “I not only lost weight on the medication, but I also now counsel patients on managing diet, exercise, and side effects as part of a comprehensive weight management program,” she explained.
However, recent studies, including one published in JAMA Ophthalmology, suggest that some patients taking GLP-1 agonists may experience vision changes linked to NAION. Dr. Jennifer Mercado, an optometrist at Vision One in Kentucky, described how changes in blood flow to the optic nerve can result in partial vision loss, which may be permanent.
Dr. Mercado emphasized the importance of acting quickly if any vision changes occur while on medication: “If you notice any vision change, see an eye doctor immediately. There does not appear to be a treatment for this type of vision loss, but delaying care can make it worse.”
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