1 companies facing lawsuits over vision loss

Key Points:

• Lawsuits have been filed against companies producing GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Zepbound, alleging the drugs caused permanent eye damage linked to nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), a rare condition causing sudden vision loss.
• Nearly 100 lawsuits have been filed in New Jersey since 2025, with additional cases in Philadelphia, amid mixed research findings on whether GLP-1 drugs increase the risk of NAION.
• NAION is uncommon even among GLP-1 users, and experts say there is insufficient evidence to conclusively link the drugs to the condition; for example, even if risk doubled, only about two in 10,000 users might develop NAION.
• Drug makers Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly deny a significant connection between GLP-1s and NAION, noting that diabetes patients inherently have a higher risk of eye problems, and emphasize the established safety profile of these medications.
• The FDA is investigating the potential link, though current GLP-1 drug labels do not warn about NAION, unlike some international counterparts; patients are advised to consult healthcare providers about risks and benefits.