Semaglutide, which is sold under several brands, including Ozempic, has generated a great deal of interest. It may help maintain blood sugar levels and aid weight loss. However, the medication, which has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, may also induce vomiting and diarrhea. When your body becomes accustomed to the weekly injections, these typical adverse effects may go away. However, some research has also associated this medication with vision impairment. Is there a link between blindness and Ozempic? Let's see.

What exactly is Ozempic?

An injectable drug called Ozempic (semaglutide) is categorized as a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. "GLP-1 is an incretin hormone that plays a major role in glucose regulation, especially after eating," explains endocrinologist Dr. Dheeraj Kapoor. The medication, which is used to manage blood sugar levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes, is given subcutaneously once a week and is often coupled with a nutritious diet and regular exercise. Additionally, it aids in weight reduction.

What are the benefits of Ozempic?

The following are some advantages of Ozempic:

Reduces blood sugar levels: It encourages the pancreas to produce more insulin when blood sugar levels rise. "This helps to lower blood sugar without a significant risk of hypoglycemia or low blood sugar," the expert says. It also helps lower blood sugar levels by decreasing the pancreas's secretion of the hormone glucagon.

It slows down the rate at which the food you eat moves from your stomach into your intestines. This results in a sensation of satiety, lowers postprandial glucose spikes, and may aid in weight loss, according to the expert.

What link does Ozempic have to blindness?

There is no direct correlation between ozempic and blindness. However, there are a few possible indirect connections:

1. Diabetic retinopathy

A complication of diabetes called diabetic retinopathy affects the blood vessels in the retina, and people with this condition may experience a transient worsening of retinopathy as a result of sudden changes in blood sugar control, such as those brought about by drugs like Ozempic. "This is a known phenomenon in diabetes management, not exclusive to Ozempic. This temporary worsening could potentially impact vision if not monitored," says Dr. Kapoor. According to the US Food and Drug Administration, a two-year trial including individuals with diabetes and a high risk of cardiovascular disease found that those who received Ozempic (3%) had more occurrences of diabetic retinopathy complications than those who received a placebo (1.8%).

2. Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy without arteritis (NAION)

Studies have implied a potential connection between blindness and Ozempic. A 2024 study published in JAMA Ophthalmology discovered a relationship between semaglutide and nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). According to Dr. Kapoor, "It is a condition involving sudden vision loss due to a lack of blood flow to the optic nerve." Nine individuals taking semaglutide and tirzepatide were found in a new review, published in JAMA Ophthalmology in January 2025, to have experienced NAION, papillitis, or paracentral acute middle maculopathy. Vision loss results from these circumstances.

Blindness and Ozempic: After discontinuing the medication, does eyesight improve?

Vision could stabilize if changes in eyesight were caused by a temporary exacerbation of diabetic retinopathy brought on by a quick glycemic improvement. According to the expert, "It may improve over time, regardless of whether Ozempic is continued, as the overall glucose control improves." The outcome would depend on the type and severity of the optic nerve injury if the changes in vision were caused by additional variables like NAION. "In NAION or other eye conditions, vision loss is often permanent, although some people may experience partial recovery," the expert says. The reversibility of vision changes following cessation of Ozempic therapy is therefore solely determined by the root reason for the visual problem.

Ozempic and blindness: What are the other side effects?

Although the connection between Ozempic and blindness may not be clear, there are potential side effects to be aware of. The gastrointestinal system is the main location of Ozempic's adverse effects:

Nausea

Diarrhea

Vomiting

Constipation

Pain in the abdomen

Among the less frequent, yet perhaps more severe adverse effects of Ozempic are:

Inflammation of the pancreas

Issues with the gallbladder, such gallstones

Particularly when combined with other diabetes treatments, such as insulin or sulfonylureas, hypoglycemia can occur.

Acute kidney injury, which is frequently linked to dehydration caused by severe gastrointestinal side effects.

Ozempic and blindness: How can the likelihood of vision loss and other side effects be decreased?

Avoiding possible eye problems and other adverse effects when using Ozempic includes:

Routine eye examinations, which are particularly crucial for diabetics. They will be useful in looking out for any indications of diabetic retinopathy. Any changes in your vision should be reported to your doctor right away.

Although Ozempic can be quite beneficial, your doctor will focus on a slow and steady improvement in your blood sugar levels, which may help lower the chance of a transient exacerbation of retinopathy. For this reason, the Ozempic dose starts at 0.25 mg once weekly, and 4 weeks later, it is raised to 0.5 mg once weekly.

Maintaining hydration will help lower the risk of kidney problems linked to significant gastrointestinal adverse effects.

It's important to remember that blindness and Ozempic aren't usually related, and that vision loss is neither a common nor anticipated side effect of this weight reduction medication. But if you're using Ozempic and notice any changes in your eyesight, see a doctor right away.

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