Weight loss drugs linked to an increased risk of eye conditions and vision loss

New research has discovered that certain weight loss drugs could be associated with an increased risk of serious eye conditions, and even loss of vision.

Two studies, published in Jama, have analyzed how semaglutide and shooting – which include popular drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbounde – have had an impact on eye health in Americans with type 2 diabetes over a period of two years.

A study revealed a modest risk of developing an anterior non -arteric ischemic optical neuropathy (NAOIN) – a rare ocular condition which can cause sudden vision loss due to the lack of blood flow – in combination with semaglutide and tizepatid.

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Out of more than 159,000 participants in the study with type 2 diabetes, 35 developed Naion, against 19 people in the comparison group.

OHIO -based researchers have also noted an increased risk of developing “other optic nerve disorders”, identified in 93 patients.

A study discovered that certain GLP-1 drugs are associated with a higher risk of eye conditions. (istock)

Although the second study has not observed “statistically significant difference” in naïon in consumers of GLP-1 drugs, there has been a low increase in diabetic retinopathy, an ocular disease that can damage the retina.

Diabetic patients taking GLP-1 can deal with an increased risk of eye disease, suggests the study

While individuals with type 2 diabetes on GLP-1 have shown a modestly increased risk of diabetic retinopathy, researchers have concluded that fewer patients have suffered complications threatening the vision of the disease.

“These results suggest that all patients with type 2 diabetes treated with GLP-1 RAS, regardless of pre-existing diabetic retinopathy, should be regularly detected and monitored for potential complications,” concluded the study authors.

Type 2 diabetes patients should be regularly monitored for complications associated with the disease, researchers urge. (istock)

Sue Decotiis, MD, medical loss medical doctor in New York, said that it thought that more studies were necessary to confirm the association between these drugs and the loss of vision, as these studies report contradictory results.

“Niton is a rare condition of the optic nerve which, although serious, has not really been demonstrated by these studies,” said Fox News Digital. Decotiis, which was not involved in research. “We need more studies with certainty.”

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Diabetic patients are already faced with a high incidence of eye diseases related to blood flow and nerve damage, the expert noted.

“Eye complications are often directly linked to the degree or its lack of diabetes control.”

In most cases, GLP-1 drugs reduce the severity of type 2 diabetes, thus reducing the incidence of eye diseases, noted Decotiis.

These drugs have also been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, such as hypertension, and to improve circulation, which can improve eye health.

Additional research is necessary to confirm the link between weight loss and eye diseases, an expert said. (istock)

For diabetics that start a GLP-1, Decotiis recommends taking an exam by an ophthalmologist and planning follow-up examinations throughout the treatment.

“We have to take precautions with methodical ophthalmic care for diabetics on these drugs,” said Decotiis. “However, let’s not throw the baby with bath water.”

Dr. Ashley Brissette, ophthalmologist in New York, told Fox News Digital that Naiton was an extremely rare “but serious medical condition.

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It has agreed that the risk with the use of GLP-1 is also extremely rare, at a risk of approximately one in 10,000, according to other studies.

“I think prudence with everything is justified,” she said. “And remember that these are associations, no causes, so that does not mean that the use of GLP-1 causes naïon or the worsening of retinopathy, but their use is associated with these conditions.”

“These results underline the importance of basic and monitoring eye exams for patients who start the treatment of GLP-1,” said an ophthalmologist. (istock)

“From an ophthalmological point of view, these results underline the importance of basic eye and monitoring exams for patients starting the treatment of GLP-1, in particular those who have risk factors for retinal or pre-existing optics.”

The expert added that if the advantages of GLP-1 drugs in reducing cardiovascular and metabolic risks are “substantial”, patients should be advised on potential visual side effects, and “any sudden visual symptom should cause an immediate ophthalmic reference”.

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Novo Nordisk, manufacturer of Ozempic and Wegovy, provided the following statement when it was contacted by Fox News Digital.

“Patient safety is an absolute priority for Novo Nordisk, and we take all reports on undesirable events in the use of our drugs very seriously. Niton is a very rare eye disease, and this is not an undesirable reaction for the marketed formulations of Sémaglutide (Ozempic, Rybelsus and Wegovy) as for labels approved in the United States”

“Novo Nordisk, on the part, has carried out an analysis through randomized controlled clinical trials with GLP-1 receptor agonists, including an evaluation as a blind ophthalmologist to confirm niton diagnoses. Our current assessment is that these data do not suggest a causal relationship between the use of RA GLP-1 and the events of the Naïon.”