Over 90 Americans have filed legal actions against Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, claiming their popular diabetes and weight-loss medications, including Ozempic and Wegovy, caused severe eye problems such as blindness, amid ongoing scientific debate about the risks.
More than 90 people in the United States have filed lawsuits against the makers of popular GLP-1 drugs, alleging that medicines used for diabetes and weight loss caused serious vision problems, including blindness, according to 24NewsHD TV. The cases centre on claims that patients developed non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy, or NAION, a rare condition sometimes described as an eye stroke because it can cut off blood flow to the optic nerve and lead to sudden, and sometimes permanent, loss of sight.
The lawsuits target Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, the companies behind widely used drugs including Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound. According to reporting by NDTV, the plaintiffs argue that the drugmakers failed to warn patients about the alleged risk. The companies have disputed that their medicines are to blame, and medical experts say the scientific evidence has not established a direct causal link between GLP-1 drugs and NAION.
That uncertainty is central to the wider debate. Some studies have suggested a modest rise in the risk of NAION among people taking GLP-1 medicines, while other research has found no clear association. A report cited by CompareRx said a Boston Mass Eye and Ear study found diabetic users of GLP-1 drugs were four times more likely to be diagnosed with NAION, while overweight users were seven times more likely. But those findings have not settled the question, and experts caution that more evidence is needed before drawing firm conclusions.
Regulators and doctors have urged caution rather than alarm. The European Medicines Agency has said the condition may affect about one in 10,000 people with diabetes taking GLP-1 medicines. Separately, clinicians note that rapid changes in blood sugar can temporarily alter the shape of the eye’s lens and cause blurred vision, usually improving within three to four months. Even so, doctors advise regular eye examinations for people taking these drugs, especially those with diabetes, and say anyone who experiences sudden or unusual changes in vision should seek prompt assessment from an eye specialist.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
