Home / Health / Weight-Loss Jab Linked to Higher Eye Stroke Risk
Weight-Loss Jab Linked to Higher Eye Stroke Risk
11 Mar
Summary
- Wegovy may present a higher risk of sudden sight loss.
- Men are three times more likely to suffer an "eye stroke".
- Risk appears to be dose-dependent and formulation-specific.
A recent analysis indicates that the weight-loss injection Wegovy may pose a greater risk of sudden vision loss compared to similar medications like Ozempic. This condition, known as ischemic optic neuropathy (ION) or an "eye stroke," is caused by a reduction in blood flow to the optic nerve.
The study examined side-effect reports submitted to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) between December 2017 and December 2024. Findings suggest that Wegovy, which uses higher doses for weight management, was more strongly associated with ION than Ozempic, which is used for type 2 diabetes with lower doses. Researchers noted that the risk appears to be highest with Wegovy and is also dose-dependent and formulation-specific.
Further analysis revealed that men were nearly five times more likely to experience ION with Wegovy compared to Ozempic and over three times more likely than women. While Rybelsus, another semaglutide-based medication, did not show reported cases of ION, experts suggest this may be due to its limited absorption and slower uptake.
Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer, stated that patient safety is a top priority and that EU patient leaflets have been updated to include non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). However, the company believes the benefit-risk profile of semaglutide remains favorable, as data did not suggest a causal relationship.
