People who have used popular GLP-1 weight loss medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy, or Rybelsus and later suffered sudden vision loss may have been diagnosed with a serious eye condition known as non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, or NAION.
Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy occurs when blood flow to the optic nerve is reduced or interrupted, which often causes sudden and permanent vision loss. Recent research and regulatory reviews have raised concerns about a possible association between semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus, and an increased risk of developing NAION.
Are There Lawsuits Involving GLP-1 Medications and NAION?
Lawsuits have now been filed by patients who allege that GLP-1 medications contributed to their NAION and resulting vision loss. Federal lawsuits involving GLP-1 medications and NAION have been consolidated into multidistrict litigation (MDL No. 3163) in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
If you or someone you love used Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus, or another GLP-1 medication and were subsequently diagnosed with NAION, you may have legal options. The New Orleans GLP-1 NAION attorneys at Morris Bart are available to discuss your case and help you understand what options may be available to you. Call 504-613-4771 or contact us online for a free NAION case consultation.
For a free legal consultation with a lawyer serving Louisiana, call 800-537-8185
What Are GLP-1 Medications?
GLP-1 receptor agonists are a class of medications used to treat conditions including type 2 diabetes and obesity. These medications work in part by mimicking a naturally occurring hormone known as glucagon-like peptide-1, which helps regulate blood sugar and appetite.
Semaglutide is the active ingredient in several widely used GLP-1 medications, the three most common of which are:
- Ozempic
- Wegovy
- Rybelsus
As these medications have become more widely used, researchers and regulators have continued to study their potential side effects. In 2025, European regulators concluded that NAION should be classified as a very rare side effect of semaglutide medications and recommended updating product information for Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus.
Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) is a condition involving damage to the optic nerve caused by insufficient blood flow. The optic nerve carries visual information from the eye to the brain. NAION can result in significant and sometimes permanent vision loss.
NAION typically affects one eye initially, although the other may also be affected later. Unlike some eye conditions that develop more gradually, NAION may appear suddenly and without pain or other symptoms. NAION can quite literally occur overnight, with some GLP-1 users first noticing the problem when they wake up and discover their vision has changed.
Because sudden vision loss can have several possible causes, anyone experiencing a significant or rapid change in vision should seek prompt medical attention.
What Are the Symptoms of NAION?
Symptoms of NAION can vary from person to person, but may include:
- Sudden, painless vision loss in one eye
- Blurred or reduced vision
- Loss of part of the visual field
- Difficulty seeing objects above or below the center of vision
- Reduced contrast or changes in color perception
- A dark, shaded, or missing area within the field of vision
NAION can cause permanent damage to the optic nerve, making a proper medical diagnosis especially important.
If you experience sudden vision loss, rapidly worsening eyesight, or another significant change in your vision while using a GLP-1 medication, seek medical attention promptly.
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What Does the Research Say About Semaglutide and NAION?
Researchers have investigated whether people taking semaglutide may face an increased risk of developing NAION. Several studies have reported an association between semaglutide use and NAION, although research into the relationship continues.
In 2025, the European Medicines Agency’s Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee concluded after reviewing available data that NAION is a very rare side effect of semaglutide. European regulators estimated the findings corresponded to approximately one additional case of NAION for every 10,000 person-years of semaglutide treatment.
The manufacturers of GLP-1 medications have disputed these allegations. The ongoing litigation addresses questions concerning causation and the adequacy of the warnings accompanying these products.
Who May Qualify for a GLP-1 NAION Lawsuit?
Whether someone may have a GLP-1 NAION lawsuit or claim depends on the individual facts and medical history of the product user. Factors that attorneys may review include:
- Which GLP-1 medication was used
- How long the medication was taken
- When NAION symptoms began in relation to use of the medication
- Whether NAION was formally diagnosed by an ophthalmologist or other qualified medical professional
- Medical and prescription records documenting use of the medication
- The extent of vision loss or other resulting injuries
- Other medical conditions or risk factors that could contribute to NAION
Having used a GLP-1 medication alone does not necessarily mean someone has a legal claim. A documented NAION diagnosis and the circumstances surrounding it matter when evaluating an individual case.
I Used Ozempic or Another GLP-1 Drug, but Haven’t Been Diagnosed With NAION. Should I Be Worried?
Using a GLP-1 medication does not mean that you will develop NAION. The condition remains rare, and patients should speak with their healthcare providers about the risks and benefits of medications they are taking.
Doctors recommend that you not stop taking a prescribed medication without discussing it with your healthcare provider.
If you experience sudden vision loss, rapidly worsening eyesight, or another significant change in your vision while using a GLP-1 medication, seek medical attention promptly.
Have You Been Diagnosed With NAION After Taking a GLP-1 Medication?
If you or a loved one used Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus, or another GLP-1 medication and were later diagnosed with NAION, the attorneys at Morris Bart can review the circumstances of your case and explain what legal options may be available to you.
Our team can review information about your GLP-1 use, NAION diagnosis, medical treatment, and resulting vision loss to determine whether you may have a potential claim.
Call Morris Bart today at 504-613-4771for a free consultation. One Call, That’s All.
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