Australia warns of rare eye disorder linked to Ozempic-like drugs

Australia's medicines regulator has issued a new safety warning regarding GLP-1 based drugs, commonly used for type 2 diabetes and obesity treatment, due to a potential link to a rare but serious eye disorder. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) highlighted non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION) as a risk associated with medications including Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy), Tirzepatide (Mounjaro), Dulaglutide (Trulicity), and Liraglutide (Saxenda).

The TGA stated that NAION can result in permanent visual impairment, including blindness, and currently, no treatment has proven effective in improving visual acuity outcomes. This condition arises from disrupted blood flow to the optic nerve and typically manifests suddenly upon waking, without pain. The regulator urged individuals taking these medications to be vigilant for any signs of vision loss and to seek immediate medical attention if changes are noted.

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(NAION) may result in permanent visual impairment, including blindness, and no treatment has been shown to improve visual acuity outcomes

So far, 36 cases of NAION have been reported in Australia in connection with GLP-1 drugs. Of these, 23 involved semaglutide, three involved liraglutide, and ten involved tirzepatide. The TGA first identified a potential association in 2024 following a study published in JAMA Ophthalmology, which examined nearly 17,000 U.S. patients and found a higher risk of NAION among those prescribed semaglutide compared to non-GLP-1 medications.

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The TGA has issued a product warning for all GLP-1 RA medicines due to a risk of a rare, but severe form of eye disorder.

Optometry Australia, representing optometrists nationwide, advised that patients should not be unduly alarmed and should continue their medication unless they experience vision changes. The professional body recommended that optometrists inquire about GLP-1 medicine use in patients presenting with sudden or unexplained vision loss.

Dr. Flora Hui, an optometrist and vision scientist at the Centre for Eye Research Australia, noted that approximately 70 percent of individuals do not regain their vision if they develop NAION. She added that pre-existing conditions such as diabetes, sleep apnea, hypertension, or a crowded optic disc can increase an individual's risk of developing the disorder.

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around 70 per cent of people do not recover their vision and someone's risk of developing NAION is also increased if they have diabetes, sleep apnea or hypertension.