Skip to main content

Nonarteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy Increased With Semaglutide

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Feb 26, 2025.

By Elana Gotkine HealthDay Reporter

WEDNESDAY, Feb. 26, 2025 -- For individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D), semaglutide is associated with a modestly increased risk for nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), according to a study published online Feb. 20 in JAMA Ophthalmology.

Cindy X. Cai, M.D., from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore, and colleagues conducted a retrospective study across 14 databases to examine the potential association between semaglutide and NAION. Adults with T2D taking semaglutide, other glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs; dulaglutide and exenatide), or non-GLP-1 RA medications (empagliflozin, sitagliptin, and glipizide) from Dec. 1, 2017, to Dec. 31, 2023, were included. Of 37.1 million individuals with T2D, there were 810,390 new semaglutide users.

The researchers found that among semaglutide users, the incidence rate of NAION was 14.5 per 100,000 person-years. Using the sensitive NAION definition, the hazard ratio for NAION among new users of semaglutide was not different compared with that of the non-GLP-1 RA medications empagliflozin, sitagliptin, and glipizide. Using the specific definition, the risk was higher for semaglutide users compared with patients taking empagliflozin (hazard ratio, 2.27). The risk for NAION was increased in a self-controlled case series analysis of semaglutide exposure (meta-analysis incidence rate ratio, 1.32).

"In the absence of a known mechanism for this association, we urge clinicians to weigh the concern for an increased risk of a rare but potentially blinding eye condition with the many therapeutic benefits of semaglutide," the authors write.

Several authors disclosed ties to industry.

Abstract/Full Text

Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Posted February 2025

Read this next

Concurrent Hypertension + Type 2 Diabetes Predict High Mortality Risk

WEDNESDAY, June 4, 2025 -- Adults with concurrent hypertension and type 2 diabetes (T2D) have high mortality risk compared with those who have neither condition or only one...

ASCO: GLP-1 Receptor Agonists May Reduce Risk for Obesity-Related Cancer, All-Cause Death

WEDNESDAY, May 28, 2025 -- For adults with diabetes and obesity, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) are associated with a reduced risk for obesity-related...

Semaglutide Plus Intensive Behavioral Therapy Most Beneficial for Weight Loss

FRIDAY, May 23, 2025 -- Weight loss treatment combining personalized semaglutide with intensive behavioral therapy (IBT) yields weight loss similar to that reported in...

More news resources

Subscribe to our newsletter

Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.