Manufacturers of GLP-1 drugs are facing a wave of lawsuits from hundreds of consumers who claim that they may increase the risk of developing a rare type of vision loss.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the patients behind the lawsuits claim that the drugs caused them what is called "non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION)." This is a rare condition in which blood flow to the optic nerve suddenly decreases, leading to sudden vision loss.
Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAAN) is the most common cause of acute optic nerve injury in adults over the age of 50, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the National Eye Institute, which describes it as an "ocular stroke."
Dr. Douglas Lazaro, an ophthalmologist at NYU Langone Health, explains the seriousness of the condition, saying: "The problem with non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy is that there is no cure for it. Therefore, it can cause very severe vision loss."
The two companies in question, Novo Nordisk – maker of Ozembek and Wegovi – and Eli Lilly – maker of Manjaro and Zipbound, denied these allegations, according to a report in The Wall Street Journal.
Novo Nordisk described the claims as baseless, pointing to company-funded research that found no increased risk of non-arterial anterior ischemic optic neuropathy with its drugs.
Eli Lilly said it continues to monitor safety data, and stressed that current studies do not prove that GLP-1 drugs cause this condition.
What you should know about non-arterial anterior ischemic optic neuropathy
Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAAN) typically causes a sudden and painless loss of vision in one eye. Symptoms may include blurred or dimmed vision, loss of peripheral vision, or decreased color vision. Symptoms tend to appear first thing in the morning after waking up.
The biggest risk factors include: advancing age, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obstructive sleep apnea, and smoking.
Because many people taking GLP-1 medications have diabetes or obesity, some of these underlying risk factors may contribute to vision problems. Diabetes itself is also a well-established risk factor for non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAANIO), making it difficult for observational studies to separate the effects of the disease from those of the medication.
Vision loss from non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy is often permanent. Although some patients may regain partial vision over time, there is no proven treatment that can reverse optic nerve damage.
Experts stressed that patients should not stop taking their prescribed GLP-1 medication without first speaking with their healthcare provider, as for many people with diabetes or obesity, the proven benefits of the medication may outweigh any potential risk to vision.
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