Ozempic And Other Weight-Loss Drugs May Damage Eyes, Studies Show, India's Risk Explained
European drug regulators classify NAION as a 'very rare' side effect of semaglutide — the active ingredient in Ozempic, Wegovy. The risk often emerged after two years of use
From Instagram reels to celebrity endorsements, weight-loss injections like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro have become the new global craze. In India, too, these GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs are slowly entering high-end clinics and urban pharmacies, often marketed as a quick-fix for stubborn kilos or for managing type 2 diabetes.
But beneath the hype, researchers have flagged a rare yet potentially devastating side effect of theses drugs — a sudden, irreversible loss of vision linked to a condition called non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), also known as an 'eye stroke".
What's The Rare Eye Condition?
NAION occurs when blood flow to the optic nerve is suddenly reduced, leading to painless vision loss, usually in one eye, often noticed on waking. Recovery is minimal and, in many cases, the damage is permanent.
European drug regulators now classify NAION as a 'very rare" side effect of semaglutide — the active ingredient in Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus. That is roughly 1 in 10,000 people, but the risk doubles for those with type 2 diabetes on these drugs compared to other treatments.
A Danish study following more than 400,000 people found the five-year NAION incidence rose from about 0.09 to 0.22 per 1,000 person-years among semaglutide users — more than a two-fold increase. The risk often emerged after two years of continuous use, with some patterns suggesting women may be more vulnerable.
Why Indians Should Worry
While these numbers may sound small, India's context changes the equation:
Diabetes capital: India is home to over 100 million people with diabetes, many of whom already face higher vascular and eye health risks.
Growing off-label use: Wealthier urban Indians are seeking GLP-1 injections purely for weight loss — often through gyms, wellness clinics, or online sellers without proper medical supervision.
Delayed diagnosis: In much of rural and semi-urban India, regular eye check-ups are rare, meaning a sudden eye stroke may go unaddressed until it's too late.
Existing eye disease burden: India already struggles with diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and cataracts; adding another cause of blindness could strain the system further.
The Other Eye Risk
In addition to NAION, preliminary studies suggest semaglutide could also increase the likelihood of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) — a condition where abnormal blood vessels grow under the retina, leading to progressive central vision loss. Israeli researchers found Ozempic users were about twice as likely to develop this, though more data is needed.
For Indian patients, the risk is not evenly distributed. Those most vulnerable include:
People with 'crowded" optic discs (an anatomical trait detectable in eye exams).
Those with uncontrolled blood pressure, cholesterol, or sleep apnea.
Patients who experience rapid drops in blood sugar levels.
Given that many Indian diabetics have multiple overlapping vascular risks, even a rare side effect can have significant impact here.
The following measures should be practised to pre-empt such conditions:
Get an eye exam before starting treatment — especially if diabetic or with family history of eye disease.
Report sudden vision changes immediately — including blurriness, dark spots, or partial loss of sight.
Continue regular eye check-ups — at least once a year, more often if high-risk.
Avoid unsupervised use — particularly from non-medical weight-loss clinics or online sellers.
The Balancing Act
GLP-1 drugs are proven to lower blood sugar, aid sustained weight loss, and reduce risks of heart and kidney disease — all vital outcomes for India's high-diabetes population. For many, these benefits outweigh the extremely low risk of NAION. But awareness is critical: patients must make informed choices, not blind ones.
The Regulatory Gap
Unlike in the European Union (EU), where warnings have been added to drug labels, India's drug regulator (CDSCO) has yet to issue a formal advisory on semaglutide's vision risks.
Experts say India needs:
Mandatory warning labels.
Data collection on Indian patients to understand local risk patterns.
Public education campaigns to prevent misuse.
Thus, in the weight-loss revolution powered by drugs like Ozempic, the eye is often the last thing on anyone's mind. But for India — with its huge diabetes load, the warning signs are clear.
About the Author
Shilpy Bisht
Shilpy Bisht, Deputy News Editor at News18, writes and edits national, world and business stories. She started off as a print journalist, and then transitioned to online, in her 12 years of experience. Her prev...Read More
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August 13, 2025, 12:44 IST
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