Semaglutide drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy have proven confirmed outcomes for managing circumstances like sort 2 diabetes and weight problems. Also referred to as GLP-1 agonists, these medicine work by mimicking a hormone that regulates urge for food and blood glucose management. Nonetheless, a research linked semaglutide like Ozempic and Wegovy to an elevated threat of a uncommon eye situation that may result in blindness.
And on June 6, the European Medicines Company introduced they’re now recommending the drug producer Novo Nordisk replace its product data and record the situation as a identified aspect impact, albeit one which’s very uncommon. So, in the event you’re taking these common weight reduction medicine, do you have to be anxious about uncommon eye ailments? In all probability not. Right here we break down what the research outcomes present, why there’s been an up to date warning and whether or not or not you must cease taking semaglutide.
Can Ozempic or Wegovy actually trigger blindness?
The brief reply is that it’s extremely unlikely. A research of greater than 16,000 sufferers printed within the journal JAMA Ophthalmology discovered that these taking semaglutide drugs, together with Ozempic and Wegovy, had a better threat of creating an eye fixed situation referred to as nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION).
“NAION happens when blood flow to the optic nerve is blocked,” says Rachel Pessah-Pollack, MD, FACE, scientific affiliate director within the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism at NYU College of Medication. “It can cause the sudden, painless loss of vision in one eye.”
In folks with sort 2 diabetes, the research discovered that the danger of creating NAION was round 4 occasions increased for sufferers taking semaglutide in comparison with those that weren’t. And amongst sufferers who had been chubby or overweight, the potential threat of creating NAION was greater than seven occasions increased for these taking semaglutide in comparison with those that weren’t.
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Why regulators are asking so as to add blindness as a uncommon aspect impact
The European Medicines Company is the primary regulator to substantiate the aspect impact proven in research, which might probably trigger imaginative and prescient loss. Consequently, the committee requested drug producer Novo Nordisk to record the attention situation as a “very rare” aspect impact of their semaglutide drugs. That features injectables like Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic and Wegovy, in addition to their oral capsule Rybelsus.
What the Ozempic and Wegovy blindness research tells us
The research outcomes could also be alarming, however eye specialists say there’s no must panic. “It is important to realize the limitations of the study design,” Dr. Pessah-Pollack says.
For starters, the research inhabitants consisted of neuro-ophthalmic sufferers at Massachusetts Eye and Ear, a care establishment that treats uncommon eye circumstances. Which means the extent of threat could also be completely different for the overall inhabitants.
And since semaglutide is used to handle sort 2 diabetes or weight problems—each of that are threat elements for NAION—extra analysis is required to make clear whether or not the elevated threat of blindness is because of semaglutide like Ozempic or Wegovy, underlying circumstances or a mixture of each.
“The relationship between type 2 diabetes, obesity and NAION is complex,” says Meenal Agarwal, MD, optometrist and host of the podcast Uncover Your Eyes. “While semaglutide is associated with NAION, the increased risk of NAION appears more closely linked to the underlying conditions rather than the medication itself.”
Different methods Ozempic or Wegovy could have an effect on your imaginative and prescient
Whereas the hyperlink between semaglutide and NAION blindness isn’t absolutely understood but, it’s nonetheless essential to watch any imaginative and prescient adjustments whereas taking drugs like Ozempic or Wegovy.
“There are other eye changes that can potentially occur with semaglutide that we have been aware of for some time,” Dr. Pessah-Pollack says. “These include blurry vision, macular complications and worsening of diabetic retinopathy.”
A research printed within the journal Eye additionally discovered that sufferers taking semaglutide like Ozempic or Wegovy had a better threat of sure problems of diabetic retinopathy, together with blindness and vitreous hemorrhage (a sort of bleeding within the eye).
However Dr. Agarwal notes that these instances are comparatively uncommon. “The majority of people taking these medications do not experience any significant eye issues,” she says.
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Why these drugs should still shield your eyes
Semaglutide drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy really assist handle circumstances that may have an effect on eye well being too. Taking the drugs could in actual fact be good to your imaginative and prescient, so it’s essential to weigh the dangers and advantages along with your physician.
Sort 2 diabetes can hurt the eyes and result in imaginative and prescient loss over time. “High blood sugar can damage the blood vessels in our retina—the light-sensitive tissue inside the eye—which can lead to blurred vision, floaters and the potential for blindness,” Dr. Agarwal says. “Some of the most common conditions that high blood glucose levels can cause are diabetic retinopathy, cataracts and glaucoma.”
And weight problems is linked to a better threat of cataracts, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration—all of which might have an effect on imaginative and prescient.
Backside line: When you’re involved in regards to the threat of imaginative and prescient loss, speak to your physician about whether or not semaglutide remains to be the best choice for you, and be sure you report any eye issues ASAP. “If you’re taking Ozempic or Wegovy and notice any changes in your vision such as blurred vision, flashes of light or floaters, consult with your optometrist,” Dr. Agarwal says. “They can assess your symptoms and determine if they are related to the medication or another underlying issue.”
Extra methods to guard your imaginative and prescient:
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Excessive Blood Sugar Can Have an effect on Your Eyes—Right here’s What to Know About Diabetic Retinopathy Signs
Judi Dench on Shedding Her Eyesight: Uncover the Signs of Macular Degeneration
This content material just isn’t an alternative choice to skilled medical recommendation or analysis. All the time seek the advice of your doctor earlier than pursuing any remedy plan.
