A recent study has revealed a concerning link between weight-loss injections and the development of an eye condition that can potentially lead to blindness. The research focused on individuals with diabetes who were prescribed semaglutide, known by the brand names Wegovy and Ozempic, and found that they were over four times more likely to be diagnosed with non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (naion).

Naion is a serious disorder where the arteries supplying blood to the optic nerve in the eye become obstructed, ultimately resulting in vision loss due to oxygen deprivation and subsequent nerve damage. Unfortunately, there is currently no known treatment for this condition, which affects a small percentage of the general population.

The study, conducted by researchers at Harvard University and published in the journal JAMA Ophthalmology, analyzed data from 16,827 patients at the Mass Eye and Ear Harvard teaching hospital over a six-year period. Among the participants, 710 had type 2 diabetes, with 194 of them being prescribed semaglutide. Additionally, 975 patients were overweight or obese, with 361 of them receiving semaglutide as part of their treatment.

Results from the study indicated that individuals with type 2 diabetes who were on semaglutide had a significantly higher incidence of naion compared to those on other diabetes medications. Over a three-year period, 8.9% of individuals on semaglutide experienced naion, while only 1.8% of those on alternative medications developed the condition.

Furthermore, the research highlighted that individuals who were overweight or obese and prescribed semaglutide were more than seven times more likely to develop naion compared to those on different weight-loss medications. Among the overweight or obese participants, 20 naion events were observed in individuals using semaglutide.