Physician-scientists at the John A. Moran Eye Center at the University of Utah have published an investigatory review of nine patients who experienced vision complications while taking popular semaglutide and tirzepatide drugs prescribed for diabetes and weight loss.
Semaglutide is the active ingredient in Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus while tirzepatide is the active ingredient in Mounjaro and Zepbound.
Publishing in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Ophthalmology, Moran Eye Center Neuro-Ophthalmologist Bradley J. Katz, MD, PhD, and colleagues describe patients taking the drugs who developed three potentially blinding eye conditions impacting the optic nerve, which carries visual information to the brain. Seven patients experienced nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (eye stroke), one had papillitis, and one had paracentral acute middle maculopathy.
A review of the cases, coupled with the latest research in the field, led the authors to hypothesize that rapid changes in blood sugar may contribute to these complications.
鈥淭his review was not conducted in any way that we can say these drugs caused the complications,鈥 explains Katz, the lead author. 鈥淔urther studies are needed to test our hypothesis. However, this is an important issue for ophthalmologists as we monitor usage of these drugs and how to best be in communication with our patients about them.鈥
suggested a possible connection between semaglutide use and increased risk for NAION, prompting the American Academy of Ophthalmologists to alert physicians and patients. An ongoing is examining the effect of semaglutide on eye disease in people with Type 2 diabetes.
鈥淏ecause of the association of semaglutide with temporary worsening of diabetic retinopathy, the increased incidence of diabetic macular edema, and the concern that rapid correction of hyperglycemia could induce papillitis, physicians prescribing this medication to their patients with type two diabetes should consider a drug regimen that more gradually lowers HbA1C level,鈥 wrote the authors in JAMA Ophthalmology.
Katz said patients taking the drugs under the care of their doctor should not stop taking them. However, if they have a sudden loss of vision, they should stop taking the drug and see a doctor immediately.
The publication is .