Popular GLP-1 medicines used for weight loss and type 2 diabetes are facing growing legal scrutiny in the United States after more than 90 lawsuits alleged a connection between the drugs and a rare form of sudden vision loss.
The lawsuits involve medications including Ozempic and Wegovy, made by Novo Nordisk, as well as other GLP-1 medicines. Plaintiffs allege that the drugs caused a condition known as non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, commonly called NAION.
NAION occurs when blood flow to the optic nerve is reduced, potentially damaging the nerve and causing sudden vision loss. It is sometimes described as an “eye stroke,” although it is different from the type of stroke that affects the brain.
The condition is considered rare, and vision loss caused by NAION can be permanent. It generally affects one eye, although cases involving both eyes can occur.
The legal claims have emerged as millions of people use GLP-1 medicines to manage diabetes or lose weight. The drugs work by mimicking the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1, which helps regulate blood sugar and appetite.
More than 90 lawsuits have been filed in New Jersey state court on behalf of patients who developed NAION while taking Novo Nordisk’s products, according to recent reports. Additional cases have also been filed in federal court in Pennsylvania.
The lawsuits claim that drug manufacturers failed to provide adequate warnings about the potential risk. However, the allegations have not been established as fact in court.
Novo Nordisk has rejected the claims and said it believes the personal-injury lawsuits are without merit. Eli Lilly, which makes GLP-1 medicines including Zepbound and Mounjaro, has said it is reviewing available safety information and continues to monitor potential risks.
Importantly, researchers have not reached a definitive conclusion that GLP-1 medicines cause NAION.
A 2026 systematic review and meta-analysis published in Ophthalmology found that available observational evidence did not demonstrate a consistent overall increase in NAION risk associated with semaglutide. The researchers also highlighted limitations in the available studies and said further research is needed to establish whether there is a causal relationship.
Medical organizations have similarly emphasized that the overall risk appears to be low while acknowledging that research is continuing. A joint statement from the North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society and the American Academy of Ophthalmology said emerging evidence could change current understanding of the potential risk.
Regulators in some countries have taken additional steps. The European Medicines Agency has identified NAION as a very rare potential side effect of semaglutide and recommended corresponding labeling information. Britain, Japan and Australia have also included related warnings or information in drug labeling.
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration continues to monitor safety information surrounding GLP-1 medicines. Recent reports indicate that an FDA study examining NAION risk among patients with type 2 diabetes who use GLP-1 medicines is ongoing.
For people taking these medicines, sudden changes in vision should not be ignored. Anyone experiencing unexpected or rapid vision loss should seek urgent medical attention and discuss the symptoms and medication history with a healthcare professional.
The latest legal developments do not mean that GLP-1 medicines are proven to cause blindness. Instead, they highlight an ongoing safety question that researchers, regulators, pharmaceutical companies and courts are continuing to examine.
As more clinical and observational data become available, the medical community will be better positioned to determine whether there is a direct connection between GLP-1 medicines and NAION, how significant any potential risk may be, and which patients could be most vulnerable.
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