Ozempic and Wegovy Makers Face Lawsuits Over Vision Loss Claims

Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Ozempic and Wegovy, is facing at least 90 lawsuits in the U.S. from patients who claim the drugs caused non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), a condition that can lead to permanent vision loss. Personal-injury firm Weitz and Luxenberg filed the claims, alleging that the GLP-1 agonist medications damaged the blood vessels in the eye, leading to optic nerve issues.

One claimant, Michelle Fennell, 53, reported blurred vision and a heavy feeling in her right eye about six months after starting Ozempic for type 2 diabetes. She was later diagnosed with NAION, a condition characterized by a sudden reduction or blockage of blood flow to the optic nerve, which deprives it of oxygen and can cause irreversible vision loss. Jay Vandegriff, 69, also taking Ozempic for type 2 diabetes, stated he lost two-thirds of his sight in his left eye due to NAION, which he was diagnosed with a year after starting the medication.

While the exact link between GLP-1 agonists and NAION is still under investigation, the UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued a warning about the potential connection. Research published in 2024 suggested that users of semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, were approximately four times more likely to develop NAION compared to those on other diabetes treatments. However, some experts have questioned the strength of this evidence, citing a lack of definitive scientific proof.

NAION is already more common in individuals with type 2 diabetes, smokers, older people, and those with high blood pressure. Experts note that separating the drug's effect from these pre-existing risk factors can be challenging. Kevin Gendreau, an obesity medicine expert, stated that determining if medication caused a specific case of NAION is difficult, but acknowledged that the condition warrants further study without causing widespread panic among patients.

Eli Lilly, the maker of Mounjaro, another GLP-1 agonist, is also facing a smaller number of similar claims. Both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have stated that patient safety is their top priority and that they are investigating the reported adverse events. Novo Nordisk maintains that the lawsuits lack merit and is defending itself, asserting that a causal relationship between semaglutide and NAION has not been established. Eli Lilly encourages healthcare professionals to use their clinical judgment when evaluating external literature on potential risks.