Home / Health / Blindness Risk in Ozempic Use: Patients Sue Maker
Blindness Risk in Ozempic Use: Patients Sue Maker
10 Oct
Summary
- Ozempic linked to optic neuropathy causing blindness.
- Lawsuits allege Novo Nordisk failed to warn of risks.
- FDA studying NAION risk, no label changes yet.
Todd Engel, a long-time warehouse operator, experienced sudden blindness in both eyes after taking Ozempic for diabetes. His condition, NAION, is an inoperable neuropathy linked to reduced blood flow. This occurred despite his doctor's initial lack of awareness regarding Ozempic as a potential cause.
Research published in JAMA Ophthalmology in late 2023 indicated higher rates of NAION among diabetic patients using Ozempic. However, medical groups have cautioned that this observational data shows correlation, not causation, and do not recommend discontinuing the medication.
Engel's lawsuit is part of broader legal actions against manufacturers like Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, alleging failure to adequately warn patients and physicians about potentially severe side effects. These include NAION and gastrointestinal issues like pancreatitis, with thousands of plaintiffs involved.
The FDA is currently reviewing adverse event reports, which include over 1,000 mentions of optic neuropathy linked to GLP-1 drugs since 2024. While the agency is conducting its own study, no regulatory action or warning label changes have been mandated yet.
