Man claims Ozempic caused permanent blindness in lawsuit

Ed Gillen, a father from New England, has filed a lawsuit claiming that the diabetes and weight-loss drug Ozempic led to his permanent blindness. Gillen states that he woke up with a speck in his vision last spring, which rapidly progressed to total blindness. The lawsuit names Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Ozempic, as the defendant.

Gillen has been left navigating the world in darkness and has expressed a deep sense of loss for his former life as a handyman. The legal action comes after Gillen's 14-year relationship with his girlfriend ended, a development he attributes to his new disability. He shared that his girlfriend was unable to cope with his condition, leading to their separation.

The lawsuit alleges that Ozempic caused Gillen to lose his eyesight. This legal challenge adds to a growing number of lawsuits filed against Novo Nordisk concerning Ozempic and related drugs like Wegovy and Rybelsus. These suits frequently allege that the drugs can cause severe gastrointestinal issues, such as gastroparesis, and other serious side effects. However, Gillen's case specifically centers on claims of vision loss.

Gillen, who previously worked for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation for four decades, has also had to give up his volunteer role as a softball coach. He described attending his daughter's graduation as a particularly difficult moment, as he was unable to visually witness the milestone.

While Ozempic is FDA-approved for managing type 2 diabetes, and Wegovy is approved for chronic weight management, reports have linked these GLP-1 receptor agonist medications to various adverse effects. Gillen's lawsuit is one of several legal challenges that Novo Nordisk faces regarding its popular semaglutide-based medications.