What Is Ozempic and Why Is It Prescribed?
Ozempic (semaglutide) is a prescription medication that helps manage blood sugar levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes. It belongs to a class of drugs known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, which work to lower blood sugar, promote weight loss, and reduce the risk of heart complications. Due to its effectiveness, semaglutide is now commonly used under various brand names, including Wegovy, which is specifically for weight loss.
As more people start using semaglutide, a common question arises: Can this medication affect your eyes or vision?
Why Eye Health Matters with Diabetes
Individuals with diabetes are at risk for developing diabetic retinopathy, a condition in which high blood sugar levels damage the blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive tissue located at the back of the eye. If left undetected and untreated, this damage can progressively lead to vision loss or even blindness.
When blood sugar levels are quickly brought under control, it can sometimes temporarily worsen diabetic retinopathy. This phenomenon has been observed with several diabetes medications, including semaglutide.
What the Research Tells Us
A large clinical trial called SUSTAIN-6 found that some patients taking semaglutide experienced a higher rate of worsening diabetic eye disease compared to those on a placebo. However, experts believe this was likely due to the rapid decrease in blood sugar levels rather than the drug itself.
A follow-up analysis by Vilsbøll et al. (2018) concluded that these rapid changes in glycemic levels may have temporarily worsened diabetic retinopathy, a phenomenon already recognized in diabetes care.
More recent studies have provided reassuring data. A 2024 real-world study by Stevens et al. (ScienceDirect) found no significant long-term increase in the progression of diabetic retinopathy among patients taking semaglutide.
What About Visual Symptoms Like Blurred Vision?
Some individuals using semaglutide report experiencing blurred vision, particularly during the initial weeks of treatment. This is typically a short-term side effect related to fluctuations in blood sugar levels. Rapid changes in blood glucose can temporarily alter the shape of the eye’s lens, resulting in blurry vision. Fortunately, this usually resolves once blood sugar levels stabilize.
However, a pharmacovigilance analysis of FDA data conducted by Luo et al. (2024) revealed a slightly higher rate of vision-related complaints among semaglutide users. These complaints included symptoms such as visual disturbances and worsening diabetic retinopathy. A second study by Massy et al. (2025) corroborated these findings using a larger dataset.
Other Vision Risks: What Emerging Research Says
A recent observational study from Canada found that users of GLP-1 medications, including semaglutide, have a slightly higher risk of developing neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). However, the overall risk of this condition remains low.
Additionally, there have been rare reports of a serious eye condition known as non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) occurring after the use of semaglutide or tirzepatide. Although the link between these medications and NAION has not been definitively proven, multiple cases were documented in a 2024 case series published in JAMA Ophthalmology and reported in the news.
Tips for Protecting Your Vision While Taking Ozempic
If you are taking Ozempic or another medication based on semaglutide, it’s important to take care of your eye health. Here are some tips:
- Get a Baseline Eye Exam: Have an eye examination before starting treatment, especially if you have a history of diabetic eye disease.
- Regular Eye Check-ups: Visit your eye doctor at least once a year, or more frequently if you have retinopathy.
- Report Vision Changes: Inform your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any changes in vision, such as blurriness, floaters, or flashes of light.
- Manage Blood Sugar Levels: Control your blood sugar gradually, avoiding sudden drops that could worsen eye conditions.
- Stay Informed: Be aware of the potential risks and feel free to ask your care team any questions you may have.
The Bottom Line
For many people, Ozempic is a safe and effective medication for managing diabetes and supporting weight loss. While it does not directly cause eye damage, individuals who already have diabetic retinopathy should be closely monitored—particularly during the first few months of treatment.
To protect your vision and overall health while using semaglutide, it is essential to have routine eye exams and maintain open communication with your healthcare providers.