Ozempic and Wegovy have been linked to eye strokes as TGA reports ten cases of blindness

The Therapeutic Goods Administration has received complaints of blindness and vision loss in one eye among users of Ozempic and Wegovy, who are reluctant to ditch the weight-loss drugs.

Dozens of Ozempic and Wegovy users have reported suffering from eye disorders they claim are associated with the drugs, including eight who have complained of blindness.

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has also received two additional complaints of sudden blindness in one eye, among more than 40 ophthalmic disorders logged in Australia between December 2020 and May 5 this year.

Research suggests a potential link between semaglutide, the active ingredient in the anti-diabetic drugs Ozempic and Wegovy, and a blinding eye condition called non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), commonly referred to as eye stroke.

Known more colloquially as “Ozempic blindness”, the condition is caused by reduced blood flow to the optic nerve, leading to swelling and damage, permanent vision impairment and in rare cases blindness.

Users of Ozempic, which is designed to manage type 2 diabetes but which is prescribed off-label for weight loss despite not being approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration for that purpose in Australia, are refusing to ditch the jab for fear of packing on kilos lost from injecting.

One worried Wegovy user told an Australian social media site: “I got my eyes tested when I had to change strength due to my eyes needed stronger prescription and while I was there I mentioned my eyes being sore.

“The lady looked at the condition of my eyes. She said they were fine. But they are sore most of the day lately. And after I wake of a night’s sleep I find it takes a good 5 or 10 minutes to focus properly.

Users of Ozempic and Wegovy, a diabetic drug that causes a loss of up to 15 per cent of body weight, report suffering from a blinding eye condition called non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). Picture: Ricardo Rubio

“I haven’t seen (the) dr yet but I think I better. I don’t want to come off (Wegovy). I don’t want to put the weight back on.”

Another wrote: “I stopped thinking I can do this on my own. I got so hungry I just ate & ate. All those good habits gone. Because to eat what (I did) on MJ (Mounjaro) was not enough. So l put on 9kg. I lost 20 on MJ (& 5 before that on my own).”

Research shows a possible link between antidiabetic medicines Ozempic and Wegovy, which contain the active ingredient semaglutide, and a blinding eye condition called non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), known as eye stroke. Picture: AFP

Of the more than 40 complaints of eye disorders associated with semaglutide, 19 were made by users of Ozempic, two were from Wegovy injectors and 24 used an unspecified trade name drug.

Earlier this year, a report published in JAMA Ophthalmology quoted nine cases of US patients who lost their vision after taking the medications. It included a woman in her 50s who went temporarily blind in one eye a day after injecting her first semaglutide dose.

After stopping the medication, her sight returned two months later. But, when she went back on the drug, she lost vision in the other eye.

The TGA said it was aware of the JAMA Ophthalmology report linking semaglutide to eye conditions.

“We are currently investigating this matter, including review of relevant medical literature and detailed review of international adverse event reports,” a spokesman said.

Certain eye diseases, such as diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular oedema, are known to be associated with diabetes.

Gary Deed, chairman of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners’ diabetes-specific interest network, called for regular face-to-face GP checks whilst taking GLP-1 agonists.

“This really underlines just how important it is to have a regular GP working with you to manage your medications and any symptoms you experience,” he said.

“While online services have sought to make access to medicines for management of type 2 diabetes and obesity easy, there’s no substitute for a specialist GP who knows you, your history, and all medications you are taking.

“Part of your GP’s role is to be aware of whether side effects may be temporary or whether they indicate a risk of negative health outcomes.

“If you are taking medication for weight loss, please do so under the care of your usual GP and inform them of side effects immediately.”

Originally published as Ozempic and Wegovy have been linked to eye strokes as TGA reports ten cases of blindness