Weight loss drug link to optic neuropathy

A matched cohort study involving 16,827 patients found that semaglutide (in drugs such as Ozempic) was associated with an increased risk of optic neuropathy in patients with type two diabetes or those who were overweight or obese.

The study, published in JAMA Ophthalmology on July 8, revealed a higher risk of nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) in patients prescribed semaglutide compared with patients prescribed non–glucagon-like peptide receptor agonist medications.

As the study was observational and retrospective using data from a centralised registry of patients, the authors concluded that more study was required to assess causality.