Do Ozempic and Zepbound cause blindness?

Key Points

• Weight loss diabetes drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy (semaglutide), Zepbound, and Mounjaro have been linked to rare vision issues
• Research on people taking semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy) showed an increased risk of NAION (a type of eye nerve stroke) and other serious eye conditions
• NAION risk is very rare, affecting up to 1 in 10,000 people taking semaglutide, according to the European Medicines Agency (EMA)
• There is no conclusive proof that the medications are a direct cause of vision problems
• If you experience any vision changes or issues, please get medical care immediately and let your healthcare provider know about your symptoms

Medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound, and Mounjaro changed how many people manage type 2 diabetes and weight gain.

As the drugs get more popular, there have been more questions about side effects. One concern is whether these drugs affect eyesight.

Over the past year, a small number of studies and case reports drew attention to rare vision problems reported in some people taking GLP-1 medications. 

Some refer to this as “Ozempic blindness”. 

Most of the focus has been on semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy.

For many, this news can be unsettling. After all, sudden vision changes can be alarming.

At the same time, researchers and regulators say the early evidence so far does not show that these medications directly cause vision loss. 

However, research on this topic is ongoing.

This article explains what is currently known, how often these vision issues appear to occur, who may be at higher risk, and what to do if vision changes occur.

What kind of vision problems are reported with Ozempic?

The reports that raised concern describe sudden changes in vision, often affecting just one eye.

• Some people described waking up and noticing that part of their vision looked dim, gray, or missing
• In several reports involving semaglutide, the change appeared suddenly rather than developing gradually over time

What links these reports is where the problem occurs. The changes involved the optic nerve, which carries visual signals from the eye to the brain. When this nerve is affected, the impact can be serious.

In reports on semaglutide, the most commonly reported optic nerve condition was NAION.

What is NAION?

NAION is short for Nonarteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy. It is a condition that affects the optic nerve and is often described as a type of “eye stroke.”

The term refers to sudden damage caused by reduced blood flow to the nerve.

Because the optic nerve does not regenerate well, vision loss from NAION is often permanent or only partially reversible.

NAION itself is not new. It has long been associated with conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and sleep apnea. What prompted closer scrutiny in recent years is that NAION appeared in some people while they were taking semaglutide.

How common is vision loss with Ozempic?

Vision loss linked to Ozempic appears to be rare.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA), a regulatory body, estimates that NAION may affect up to about 1 in 10,000 people taking semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy).

Other studies have also examined whether NAION occurs more often in people prescribed semaglutide compared to people taking other diabetes medications. These include:

1. A large U.S. cohort study reported a higher NAION risk in patients prescribed semaglutide compared with patients prescribed other medications. Although, the study cannot prove that the semaglutide directly caused NAION.
2. A large Danish registry study also found semaglutide use was associated with higher NAION risk over five years, while NAION remained uncommon overall.

Even in these analyses, the total number of reported NAION cases remains small.

Why diabetes complicates the picture

People with diabetes already face a higher risk of certain vision problems, including NAION. This risk exists even without taking GLP-1 medications.

In the United States, about 1 in 4 adults with diabetes has diabetic retinopathy, a common cause of vision problems in people with diabetes. One study also found that 5% of people with diabetes had vision-threatening (or severe) diabetic retinopathy.

Diabetic retinopathy is an eye condition caused by long-term high blood sugar that damages the small blood vessels in the back of the eye (retina), leading to vision loss over time.

Because of this, it can be hard to tell whether vision issues reported in some people using drugs like Ozempic and Zepbound are linked to the medication itself or to diabetes-related risks that were already there.

Researchers are continuing to study whether medications like Ozempic and Zepbound play a role in blindness or other vision problems.

In the meantime, the drug manufacturers for Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound have listed changes in vision as a potential side effect.

What if you notice vision changes while taking Ozempic?

Any sudden change in vision should be treated as important, whether you’re taking medication or not.

If you notice dimming, blurring, missing areas of vision, or changes affecting one eye, seek emergency medical care right away. You may let them know you are taking a GLP-1 medication such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound, or Mounjaro.

It’s also important to let your healthcare provider know about any symptoms or side effects you experience.

Important note: Do not stop or change any prescribed medication without speaking with your healthcare provider.

If you’re taking diabetes medications like Ozempic or Wegovy, a diabetes dietitian can help you build a nutrition plan that fits your health goals. Find a registered dietitian who accepts your insurance.

Final thoughts: Ozempic and blindness

There is no clear evidence that Ozempic or Zepbound directly cause blindness.

What researchers are seeing instead is a small number of vision problems, including NAION (a type of stroke in the eye), reported in some people taking these medications.

Based on available research, researchers and regulators believe the risk is rare. More research is needed to learn if these medications play a direct role in causing vision problems or if they stem from underlying health conditions.

For people taking GLP-1 medications, it’s important to be aware and stay abreast of the latest information regarding your medications. If you experience any sudden changes in vision, please visit emergency care and alert your healthcare provider.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Ozempic actually cause blindness?

There is no clear evidence that Ozempic directly causes blindness. A small number of studies have reported vision problems, including NAION, in some people taking semaglutide. These findings are still being studied, and the overall risk appears to be low.

Will my vision get better if I stop taking Ozempic?

Vision problems linked to the optic nerve can be serious, which is why sudden vision changes should be treated as urgent and checked right away. Whether vision improves depends on the cause and the individual situation, so prompt medical evaluation by your healthcare provider is important.

Should I stop taking Ozempic because of studies claiming vision issues?

If you notice sudden vision changes, seek medical care right away and let a healthcare provider know you are taking Ozempic or another GLP-1 medication. Do not stop or change any prescribed medication without medical guidance.

Managing your weight and blood sugar doesn't have to feel overwhelming. A

registered dietitian covered by your insurance

can create a personalized plan that works alongside your diabetes medication.

It’s hard to lose weight and lower blood sugar levels on your own. Consider working with a registered dietitian, covered by your insurance, for personalized guidance. 

The views expressed by authors and contributors of such content are not endorsed or approved by Fay and are intended for informational purposes only. The content is reviewed by Fay only to confirm educational value and audience interest. You are encouraged to discuss any questions that you may have about your health with a healthcare provider.