Weight Loss Shots: A Growing Concern for Eye Health

A growing number of people have been reporting severe eye issues after using popular weight loss injections Ozempic and Mounjaro. These drugs, known for their effectiveness in helping people shed pounds, have now been linked to conditions like nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy or NAION. This condition happens when blood flow to the optic nerve gets blocked, leading to sudden vision loss in one or both eyes. NAION is quite common in people with diabetes, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea, as these conditions can damage blood vessels. Researchers have shared nine new cases of people who lost their vision after using semaglutide (in Ozempic) or tirzepatide (in Mounjaro). One woman went blind in her left eye after just one dose. She stopped the medication but had to restart it due to her diabetes. Two weeks later, she lost vision in her right eye too. Another woman had been taking semaglutide for a year before waking up with a "painless shadow" over her left eye. Tests showed damaged blood vessels in her retina, leading to blindness. A man experienced bleeding in his left eye after a year of using tirzepatide. Doctors advised him to continue the drug due to a lack of evidence linking his condition to weight loss shots. The exact cause of these eye issues is unclear, but experts suggest that the rapid lowering of blood sugar levels by these drugs could damage blood vessels in the eyes, leading to vision loss. In 2023, Oprah Winfrey admitted to using an undisclosed GLP-1 to shed nearly 50 pounds. This admission came as a shock to fans as Oprah initially denied using weight-loss meds to slim down and even went as far as to slam the method as an 'easy way out'. This raises a question:If blood sugar levels drop quickly, could this sudden change be causing the damage to the blood vessels? The American Academy of Ophthalmology has advised patients experiencing vision loss while taking these drugs to stop immediately and consult their doctor. However, they have not recommended stopping the drugs altogether. Health officials in Denmark, where Ozempic maker Novo Nordisk is based, are currently investigating these links. The nine patients in the study were from various states, with an average age of 57, and the majority were women. The side effects of these medications are not just limited to eyesight. Black box warnings for Ozempic include the risk of thyroid tumors, stomach paralysis, suicidal thoughts, sexual dysfunction, and hair loss. These are serious potential side effects, and it is important to weigh the benefits and risks before starting any new medication.