Overview

• Two U.S. studies of more than 159,000 adults with type 2 diabetes reported 35 cases of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy among semaglutide or tirzepatide users versus 19 in a comparison group over two years
• Researchers observed a modest rise in new diabetic retinopathy diagnoses but fewer severe sight-threatening complications and reduced need for eye treatments in GLP-1 drug users
• The European Medicines Agency now lists NAION as a very-rare adverse reaction to semaglutide, estimating an occurrence rate of about one in 10,000 patients
• Novo Nordisk maintains that trial data do not establish a causal link between its GLP-1 therapies and NAION and notes the condition is not classified as a U.S. adverse reaction
• Clinicians and study authors advise against stopping therapy without medical consultation and recommend baseline and ongoing ophthalmic screening, cautious dose increases, and further randomized and mechanistic studies