For many people, the use of GLP-1s has changed their lives. GLP-1s, or glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, are medications that aim to control type 2 diabetes and support weight loss in people who may have had difficulty losing weight otherwise. However, these drugs, like many others, come with risks. One of those is the risk of NAION – non-arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy. It is the second most common optic neuropathy that occurs in adults and can lead to vision loss.
If you are one of the many people using a GLP-1 and you have suffered changes in your vision quality, it may be time to speak to your personal injury attorney about what is occurring. In some situations, a personal injury claim could help you recover damages. Kwartler Manus provides free consultations to give you insight.
What Is NAION?
Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) is a condition in which there is reduced blood flow to the optic nerve. This nerve connects the eye with the brain, transmitting signals about what you see to the brain. This condition is referred to as “non-arteritic” because, according to Brigham and Women’s Hospital, there is no true inflammation of the blood vessels, which is typically the other cause of this condition.
The damage from NAION occurs at the front-most part of the optic nerve. This is the location where the nerve meets the eye. Ultimately, because of this damage to the nerve, messages from the eye cannot be sent as well to the brain, causing a loss of vision. Most of the time, it is a sudden loss of vision that impacts just one eye and does not cause pain.
It is not clear why there is a connection between NAION and the use of GLP-1 receptor agonists, though recent studies are beginning to show a link. Some studies indicate that when people with diabetes use these drugs, there is an increased risk of developing damage to the optic nerve. Researchers were not sure why those with diabetes showed a higher rate of development of NAION than those without the condition, taking GLP-1s.
This study was a retrospective study, looking at the use of GLP-1s by about 710 people. Although it was not extensive, it was considered an important factor in demonstrating the link between the use of those substances and NAION. The study also found that the most likely time for sudden vision loss to occur was in the first year of use of GLP-1 (Semaglutide specifically), though a peak at 36 months was also seen.
What This Means for Those Using GLP-1s
GLP-1s continue to be used to encourage weight loss. If you are taking GLP-1s such as the following, be sure to talk to your doctor about any vision changes you have:
- Ozempic
- Wegovy
- Mounjaro
- Semaglutide
If you have had vision loss that is not explained in any other way, speak to your doctor about why it could be occurring. It is important to know that NAOIN can also occur in people who have uncontrolled diabetes and other health conditions. That could relate to your situation as well.
Do Not Take GLP-1s Unless Your Doctor Says You Should
GLP-1s are getting a lot of attention, and while they seem to be a harmless weight loss drug, they are anything but. The FDA shares that there are unproven products that the FDA has not approved for sale. More so, they warn that any use other than what the drug was intended for – and what you were prescribed for – could be dangerous.
What If You Lose Your Vision? Can You Sue?
It is not simplistic to sue a medical provider or drug manufacturer. However, if you believe your vision loss was due to the use of GLP-1s like semaglutide, it is worth setting up a free consultation with our product Liability team to discuss your options. To hold a medical provider or manufacturer accountable, we must provide evidence demonstrating they knew or should have known of the risk and failed to warn you of it, causing you to lose your vision.
While it is not always simple to prove these losses, you can seek legal action when a medical practitioner or provider fails to keep you safe. We strongly recommend not simply turning your shoulder on your right to compensation. Instead, seek help from our legal team to find out if you have a case.
The key here will be demonstrating that the medical procedure caused your vision loss and that the manufacturer or your provider knew of the risk but failed to protect you. As your legal team, we will aim to do just that.
How Our Product Liability Lawyers Can Help You
When you contact Kwartler Manus, let us know what happened in your situation. Let us gather evidence to support your claim and research any details that may be relevant. Then, we will go to work building a strong case for you. Contact our team for a free consultation – if we do not win your case, you do not owe us anything for our services.