If you’re taking Ozempic, Wegovy, or another GLP-1 medication and experiencing sudden vision changes, you’re not alone. Recent studies have linked these popular weight loss and diabetes drugs to a serious eye condition called non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, sometimes called a “stroke of the eye.”
While the connection is still being researched, the legal system isn’t waiting for final answers. A dedicated federal multidistrict litigation has been established specifically for vision loss claims related to semaglutide medications, which is a major sign that courts are taking these injuries seriously.
Read on as we break down what we currently know about the link between GLP-1 medications and vision loss, the warning signs you shouldn’t ignore, and what steps you can take to protect your health and your legal rights.
Can Ozempic or Wegovy Actually Cause Vision Loss?
In July 2024, a study published in JAMA Ophthalmology found that patients using semaglutide, which is the active ingredient in both Ozempic and Wegovy, faced a significantly higher risk of developing non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION).
Researchers at Massachusetts Eye and Ear analyzed medical records and found that diabetic patients taking semaglutide were more than four times as likely to be diagnosed with NAION compared to those on other diabetes medications. For patients using semaglutide for weight loss, the risk was even more striking: more than seven times higher than the comparison group.
It’s worth noting that this study identified a correlation, not causation. The researchers could not conclusively prove that semaglutide directly causes NAION, and noted that other factors (such as underlying cardiovascular conditions common in diabetic patients) may play a role. However, the statistical association was strong enough that the study’s authors recommended discussing these risks with patients before prescribing GLP-1 medications.
What Type of Vision Loss Has Been Reported with Semaglutide Drugs?
The vision loss linked to Ozempic and Wegovy isn’t the gradual blurriness that comes with aging or a new glasses prescription; instead, patients have reported sudden, significant changes within hours or even minutes.
NAION typically presents as painless vision loss in one eye upon waking. Patients describe it as a shadow or dark curtain obscuring part of their visual field, or a general dimming that makes colors seem washed out. Some experience only partial vision loss in the affected eye; others lose most or all of their sight in that eye permanently. Because NAION damages the optic nerve itself, the vision loss often is often permanent and cannot be corrected with surgery, glasses, or medication.
Beyond NAION, some semaglutide users have reported other vision-related side effects, including:
- Blurred vision, particularly in the early weeks of treatment as blood sugar levels fluctuate
- Diabetic retinopathy progression, where patients with pre-existing retinal damage experienced worsening symptoms after starting the medication
- Visual disturbances such as light sensitivity or difficulty adjusting between light and dark environments
Why Many Patients Are Never Given a Clear Diagnosis
One of the most frustrating aspects of NAION is that you often don’t receive definitive answers. Unlike many medical conditions, there’s no single blood test, biopsy, or imaging study that confirms NAION. Instead, it’s typically a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning doctors rule out other potential causes before arriving at it.
Medical records may reflect this uncertainty. You might leave the hospital with documentation noting “optic neuropathy,” “possible NAION,” or simply “vision loss of unknown etiology.” Doctors are understandably cautious and are often reluctant to draw a direct line between a patient’s medication and their vision loss, given that the research is still evolving and individual risk factors vary.
That said, if you’re in this situation, know that an uncertain or incomplete diagnosis doesn’t mean you have no options. Our legal team can work with medical experts to evaluate whether your vision loss is consistent with NAION and whether your use of semaglutide may have been a contributing factor.
What to Do If You Experience Vision Loss After Ozempic or Wegovy
If you’ve experienced sudden or unexplained vision loss while taking a semaglutide-based medication, here are some steps you can take to protect both your health and your legal rights.
Seek immediate medical attention
Sudden vision loss is a medical emergency, regardless of its cause. If you haven’t already seen a specialist, request a referral to an ophthalmologist or neuro-ophthalmologist who can evaluate whether your symptoms are consistent with NAION or another optic nerve condition.
Even if your initial emergency room visit didn’t result in a clear diagnosis, further testing, such as visual field exams or optic nerve imaging, may provide more answers.
Document everything
Keep detailed records of when your symptoms began, how they progressed, and what treatments you’ve received. Note the dates you started and stopped taking Ozempic, Wegovy, or any related medication, as well as dosage changes over time.
If you can, obtain copies of your medical records from every provider who has treated you for vision-related symptoms. This documentation becomes important if you later decide to pursue legal action.
Don’t assume you need a definitive NAION diagnosis to have options
As discussed above, many people with sudden vision loss after Ozempic never receive a clear-cut diagnosis. If your records note optic neuropathy, unexplained vision loss, or similar language, your case may still be worth evaluating. Our attorneys will work with medical experts who can assess whether your symptoms align with known patterns of semaglutide-related injury.
Understand what’s happening with Ozempic NAION lawsuits
Ozempic NAION lawsuits are being coordinated through a dedicated federal multidistrict litigation (MDL No. 3163), created specifically to address NAION-related claims. This consolidation reflects how seriously courts are treating these allegations and signals that legal pathways exist for people who have been harmed.
Being part of an MDL doesn’t mean your case loses its individuality. While the litigation is coordinated at the federal level (which streamlines things like evidence gathering, expert testimony, and pretrial motions), your claim remains your own. Unlike a class action, where everyone receives the same outcome, compensation here is based on your specific circumstances, including the severity of your vision loss, the medical treatment you’ve required, the impact on your daily life and ability to work, and the strength of the connection between your injury and your medication use. The MDL structure simply makes the process more efficient without erasing what makes your case unique.
Consult with an attorney who handles semaglutide cases
You don’t need to have all the answers right now, and you don’t need a definitive NAION diagnosis to explore your options. What matters is taking steps to understand what happened and whether you may be entitled to compensation for an injury you didn’t see coming.
At Slater & Zurz, we’ve helped countless clients navigate complex pharmaceutical cases. If you’ve experienced sudden vision loss after taking Ozempic, Wegovy, or another semaglutide medication, our team can review your situation at no cost and with no obligation. We work on a contingency basis, which means you pay nothing unless we recover compensation on your behalf.
Call 330-762-0700 or complete our online form to request a free case evaluation.
Written by Rick Zurz
Rick, the managing partner of Slater & Zurz, is recognized as one of Ohio’s leading civil plaintiff attorneys. Specializing in personal injury law, Rick is deeply committed to his clients and takes pride in actively participating in every case the firm handles.
