Millions of Americans have turned to weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro to help shed unwanted pounds, but new reports suggest these medications might come with an alarming side effect—sudden blindness.
Recent studies have raised concerns that these drugs, which contain semaglutide and tirzepatide, could trigger serious eye conditions that block blood flow and cause permanent damage.
Now, researchers have documented nine cases in the U.S. where individuals experienced severe vision loss after taking these medications.
Stories of Sudden Blindness
One woman, who had taken just one dose of semaglutide for diabetes, woke up the next morning completely blind in her left eye.
She immediately stopped the medication, but two months later, her condition forced her to restart it.
Just two weeks after going back on the drug, she lost vision in her right eye as well.
Another patient, who had been using semaglutide for over a year, suddenly noticed a “painless shadow” in her left eye.
Doctors discovered that the blood vessels in her retina were severely damaged, leading to blindness.
A man taking tirzepatide for a year experienced bleeding in his left eye, yet his doctors advised him to continue the medication due to a lack of conclusive evidence linking his condition to the drug.
What’s Causing the Vision Loss?
While experts are still investigating the exact cause, one theory is that these weight loss drugs rapidly lower blood sugar levels, potentially damaging delicate blood vessels in the eyes.
Some researchers believe the sudden drop in blood sugar—often caused by people cutting out unhealthy foods—could be temporarily harming the optic nerve.
A study published in JAMA Ophthalmology last month examined the link between these medications and vision issues.
Researchers reported that seven of the nine patients studied had developed nonarteritic ischemic anterior optic neuropathy (NAION), a condition that restricts blood flow to the optic nerve and leads to sudden blindness.
Warnings and Investigations
The American Academy of Ophthalmology has urged patients who experience vision loss while taking semaglutide to stop the medication immediately and consult their doctor.
However, they have not issued an outright warning against the use of these drugs.
Meanwhile, health officials in Denmark—home to Ozempic’s manufacturer, Novo Nordisk—are actively investigating the possible connection between semaglutide and vision problems.
Who’s at Risk?
The latest report analyzed cases of nine adults from Utah, Minnesota, New York, West Virginia, and Ohio.
The average age of the patients was 57, and 56 percent were women.
Most of the individuals affected had pre-existing conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or sleep apnea—factors that already make them prone to eye-related complications.
One woman in her 50s developed NAION just a day after her first semaglutide injection, waking up with painful vision loss in her left eye.
Tests showed swelling in her optic nerve and damaged blood vessels.
After she stopped taking the drug, her vision returned to normal within two months—but after restarting it, she suffered another severe episode of vision loss.
Another patient, a man in his 60s, developed blurred vision in one eye ten months after starting semaglutide.
His optic nerve was swollen, and he had bleeding in his retina.
Though his symptoms resolved after a few weeks, he later lost vision in his other eye as well.
Fortunately, after stopping the medication for ten weeks, his vision fully recovered.
The Bigger Picture
Roughly 15 million Americans—about six percent of the population—are currently using weight loss injections like Ozempic and Mounjaro.
While these drugs have been widely praised for their ability to help people manage weight and diabetes, unexpected side effects continue to emerge.
Alongside concerns about blindness, these medications carry other risks.
Ozempic’s label includes a “black box” warning about a potential link to thyroid tumors.
Some users have also reported experiencing stomach paralysis, nausea, malnutrition, suicidal thoughts, sexual dysfunction, and even hair loss.
With growing evidence of serious side effects, health experts stress the importance of monitoring patients carefully and ensuring they are fully informed of the potential risks before starting these medications.
As more research unfolds, doctors and regulatory agencies may need to reassess the safety of these popular weight loss drugs.
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