Semaglutide & Eye Disease Risk: 4 Key Study Findings
- Patients with diabetes using GLP-1 receptor agonists such as Ozempic and Wegovy may face a greater risk of developing serious eye conditions, according to a new study.
- The population-based cohort study, featured in JAMA Ophthalmology, examined 139,002 patients.
- Specifically, 0.2% of GLP-1 users developed nAMD,compared to 0.1% of non-users.
A new study indicates that patients using GLP-1 receptor agonists like Ozempic adn Wegovy may be at a greater risk of developing serious eye conditions. Research shows a link between these popular medications and increased vulnerability to ocular diseases, notably neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). This study,published in *JAMA Ophthalmology*,examined 139,002 patients and discovered that GLP-1 users were twice as likely to develop nAMD.Understanding Ozempic side effects and wegovy side effects is crucial. the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society have also reported vision changes. Discover more about GLP-1 risks and their impact. News Directory 3 is staying on top of the latest updates. What steps will be taken next?
Ozempic, Wegovy Linked to Higher Eye Condition Risk
Updated June 7, 2025
Patients with diabetes using GLP-1 receptor agonists such as Ozempic and Wegovy may face a greater risk of developing serious eye conditions, according to a new study. teh research highlights a potential link between these popular medications and increased vulnerability to specific ocular diseases.
The population-based cohort study, featured in JAMA Ophthalmology, examined 139,002 patients. It revealed that individuals using GLP-1s for at least six months were more than twice as likely to develop neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) compared to those who did not use the drugs. This research underscores the importance of understanding potential Ozempic side effects and Wegovy side effects.
Specifically, 0.2% of GLP-1 users developed nAMD,compared to 0.1% of non-users. The study tracked patients aged 66 and older with diabetes from January 2020 to November 2023, utilizing health data from Ontario, Canada’s public healthcare system.These findings contribute to the ongoing discussion about GLP-1 risks.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology and the North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society jointly stated they were aware of vision changes in patients using semaglutide. They noted that semaglutide might worsen diabetic retinopathy, potentially leading to macular complications and blurred vision.
A separate study by Mass General Brigham and Harvard Medical school indicated that semaglutide users had considerably higher rates of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, a condition that restricts blood flow to the optic nerve and can cause sudden vision loss. Among diabetic patients,the rate of this condition was four times higher in those taking semaglutide.
What’s next
Further research is needed to fully understand the relationship between GLP-1 medications and eye health, and to determine appropriate monitoring and preventative measures for patients at risk.