US: The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will add a warning about a rare eye condition that can cause permanent vision loss to the labels of popular weight-loss and diabetes medications, including Ozempic and Wegovy.
The warning applies to all GLP-1 drugs, a class of medications widely prescribed to treat obesity, type 2 diabetes, and several other medical conditions. The group includes around a dozen injectable and oral medications, including widely used brands such as Zepbound and Mounjaro.
The eye condition, known as non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), occurs when blood flow to the optic nerve is reduced, potentially resulting in significant or permanent vision loss. However, the underlying cause of the condition is not fully understood, the FDA said.
The agency began investigating the potential link following the publication of a 2024 medical study that associated NAION with semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy.
Today, we are informing patients and health care providers of a potential increased risk of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) associated with use of GLP-1 RA medications.
NAION is a rare condition that can result in acute, painless, decreased vision in one eye, including permanent vision loss. Symptoms of NAION include sudden, painless vision loss in one eye that patients may notice upon waking: visual defects such as blind spots, distortion of colors, blurriness, or tunnel vision.Patients should contact their health care professional right away if they have any of these symptoms. https://t.co/qeTuSSQUzS
— U.S. FDA (@FDA) November 9, 2026
An FDA analysis of more than 125 clinical trials found that approximately six cases of the condition occurred per 100,000 patients who had taken a GLP-1 medication for at least one year. In comparison, the reported rate was fewer than four cases per 100,000 people taking a placebo or other glucose-lowering medications.
The FDA also identified reports of NAION through its electronic reporting system, which collects information on suspected drug-related injuries and adverse effects.
According to the agency, symptoms of the condition include blurred vision, blind spots, distorted color perception, and other visual disturbances. Patients experiencing these symptoms should contact a healthcare professional immediately.
The updated labelling informs healthcare professionals and patients about the potential risk and the symptoms requiring prompt medical attention.
