New ophthalmology data in 2025 link semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy) to higher risks of optic and retinal injury.
Key Findings
- Jul 28, 2025 – Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO): Swedish study of 800k+ diabetes patients found 1.6x higher RVO risk for semaglutide users. Source
- Oct 24, 2025 – American Academy of Ophthalmology: GLP-1 users had 68.6x higher odds of NAION and 8x higher odds of diabetic retinopathy vs. controls. Source
- Dec 3, 2025 – JAMA Ophthalmology: Among 37.1 million type 2 diabetes adults, semaglutide use showed NAION incidence of 14.5 per 100k person-years. Source
Clinical Implications
- Document baseline eye exams and any visual changes promptly.
- NAION risk is emerging as a major litigation driver alongside GI injuries.
- Counsel should coordinate ophthalmology records early for claim strength.