Lawsuits allege GLP-1 weight-loss drugs may raise risk of rare eye stroke

Hundreds of plaintiffs are suing Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, claiming GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound increase the risk of NAION — a rare, sudden loss of vision from reduced blood flow to the optic nerve. Some studies hint at a link, particularly with semaglutide, but observational data cannot prove causation and the absolute risk is very low. Regulators are reviewing the safety data: the FDA has not confirmed a link, while the European EMA classifies NAION as a very rare adverse reaction to semaglutide. Doctors say patients shouldn’t stop treatment without a clinician, and for many, the drugs’ benefits for diabetes or obesity may outweigh the potential risk. NAION is often permanent, with risk factors including age, diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, and smoking, and a “disc at risk” may influence who is advised against GLP-1 therapy.