HEALTH
Ozempic the weight loss drug loved by lazy people and Hollywood celebs alike has received an urgent health warning after patients across the United States were permanently blinded by the drug.
When Ozempic was first launched it was hailed as a wonder drug and the answer to Obesity.
Hollywood celebs and social media 'influencers', often paid, took the drug and raved about its results. But in a medical story that has a depressing familiarity ring to it, Ozempic has been found to have some devastating side effects, including permanent blindness.
JAMA Ophthalmology reported last month that nine adults taking semaglutide or tirzepatide (Ozempic style drugs) experienced sudden and total blindness. The study revealed that seven of the patients were diagnosed with nonarteritic ischemic anterior optic neuropathy (NAION), a condition in which blood flow to the optic nerve is blocked, causing irreversible sight loss.
"The exact cause remains unclear, but a rapid drop in blood sugar may contribute to optic nerve damage," the researchers stated. The American Academy of Ophthalmology issued a press release urging affected patients to discontinue use and consult their doctor, but reportedly after pressure from the makers it stopped short of advising against the medication altogether.
The new report examined cases from Utah, Minnesota, New York, West Virginia, and Ohio. The patients, averaging 57 years old, were primarily women (56%). One patient injected a single dose of semaglutide for diabetes and woke up blind in her left eye. After discontinuing for two months, she resumed the drug and subsequently lost vision in her right eye.
Another woman, after a year of use, noticed a shadow over her left eye, later confirmed as retinal blood vessel damage. A man on tirzepatide for a year suffered bleeding in his left eye but was advised to continue the drug due to inconclusive evidence linking it to vision loss.
Critics have responded with outrage. Jacqueline Barber of Louisville, Kentucky, who lost 140 lbs while taking Ozempic, described devastating side effects: "My teeth crumbled, I was vomiting constantly, and I became so weak I needed a walker." Ashley Keenan, 37, said that while Ozempic helped her reach her lowest weight since age 18, she suffered pancreatitis, gallstones, and diabetic ketoacidosis, landing her in the ICU for 10 days.
Social media users have called for greater regulatory scrutiny, with one post reading:
"How is this even allowed on the market? Blindness is permanent!"
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, approximately 6,000 Americans suffer from NAION annually, with diabetes, hypertension, and sleep apnea being major risk factors. The Danish Health Authority is actively investigating a possible connection between semaglutide and optic nerve damage. Novo Nordisk, the Danish manufacturer of Ozempic, has yet to issue an official response.
The rising number of cases and growing public outcry reinforce the severity of these side effects. Patients face irreversible blindness, and critics argue that warnings have been insufficient.
If further investigations confirm a direct link, the FDA could face pressure to mandate stronger warnings or even recall the drug. With international health agencies now probing the risks, stricter regulations or legal actions could follow in the coming months.
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