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By Marc Andre Jean
A new study has raised concerns about the popular diabetes drug Ozempic, linking it to a rare eye condition that can lead to sudden blindness. The research, which analyzed patient data from Denmark and Norway, found that people taking Ozempic were twice as likely to develop nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) compared to those using other diabetes treatments.
NAION is when blood flow to the optic nerve is reduced, causing irreversible vision loss. Although the overall risk is low—only 1.4 additional cases per 10,000 patient years—the study warns that long-term Ozempic users could face a 0.3% to 0.5% risk of developing the condition over 20 years.
The study also examined Wegovy, a weight-loss drug by Novo Nordisk with the same active ingredient as Ozempic. However, the data for Wegovy were inconclusive due to limited patient numbers.
This new research adds to earlier findings linking Ozempic to NAION. While the drug is highly effective for managing diabetes and obesity, the study reminds us to consider the potential risks alongside its health benefits carefully.
Novo Nordisk has not yet commented on the study, which is still under review. As Ozempic continues to gain popularity, patients and doctors may need to reassess the long-term safety of the drug, especially for those at higher risk of eye conditions like NAION.
