Two major studies from the University of Southern Denmark have found that people with type 2 diabetes who take the drug Ozempic may face a higher risk of serious eye damage.
The condition in question is called NAION, short for non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy. It affects the optic nerve and can cause sudden, permanent vision loss in one eye.
NAION happens when blood flow to the optic nerve is suddenly reduced. This damages the nerve and can lead to blindness. Although it’s a rare condition, its impact can be severe.
Earlier signs of this risk came from a smaller U.S. study, which showed that Ozempic more than doubled the chance of getting NAION. Now, researchers in Denmark and Norway have confirmed those findings and provided more details using medical data from over 424,000 people with type 2 diabetes.
Out of these, more than 106,000 were Ozempic users. The studies showed that Ozempic users were about twice as likely to develop NAION as people taking other diabetes drugs.
Professor Jakob Grauslund, an expert in eye health, noted that NAION cases in Denmark have increased since Ozempic use became widespread in 2018. Before that, Denmark had about 60 to 70 cases of NAION each year. Now, the number has risen to as many as 150 cases per year, mostly among people with type 2 diabetes.
Another study led by Professor Anton Pottegård compared people who had just started Ozempic with those beginning other diabetes medications. This gave a more balanced view by comparing similar patients. The results were the same: Ozempic users had twice the risk of developing NAION.
It’s important to remember that NAION is still a rare side effect. Even though the risk is higher in Ozempic users, most people taking the drug will not develop this condition. Still, these findings may lead some people—especially those with existing eye issues—to consider switching to a different drug.
Professor Kurt Højlund, an expert in diabetes treatment, stressed that controlling type 2 diabetes is very important. However, he said that for patients already at risk for eye disease, using a different medicine might be safer. For example, if someone has already lost vision in one eye due to NAION, they might need to stop taking Ozempic to protect the other eye.
For those currently on Ozempic, the message is simple: don’t stop the medication without talking to your doctor. Ozempic remains a powerful tool for managing blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes.
These findings give doctors and patients better information for making treatment decisions. If you notice any sudden changes in your vision, it’s important to contact your doctor immediately.
Health authorities in Denmark and other countries have been informed of the results. The goal is to encourage more personalized care plans for people with diabetes. The research has been published in the International Journal of Retina and Vitreous and also shared as a preprint on medRxiv.
In summary, while Ozempic has many benefits, it also carries some risks. Knowing those risks helps people make better choices and get the care they need.
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