A new study has linked liraglutide, the active ingredient in glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) drugs Saxenda and Victoza, to an increased risk of an eye condition that can cause permanent vision loss.
The condition, called nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), has also been linked to Ozempic, another GLP-1 medication that contains semaglutide as its active ingredient.
Researchers from the National Institutes of Health conducted the study. It examined Medicare enrollees aged 65 and older who treated their Type 2 diabetes with GLP-1 drugs and other medications, including insulin and Metformin. The study found an increased risk of NAION when patients were treated with GLP-1 drugs.
“The risk of NAION warrants further research given the increasing use of GLP-1 RAs and the seriousness of NAION,” the authors wrote in the study.
Saxenda is commonly prescribed for weight loss, while Victoza is prescribed to manage Type 2 diabetes.
Lawsuits Link Vision Loss With Liraglutide and Semaglutide
Law firms are currently reviewing potential cases from patients who developed vision problems after using semaglutide, found in Wegovy and Ozempic. Some Ozempic lawsuits have already been filed alleging vision loss, blindness and optic nerve damage.
With liraglutide now linked to NAION, more lawsuits may be filed involving Saxenda and Victoza. Attorneys are evaluating whether patients who suffered vision damage after using these drugs have grounds for legal action.
As of June 30, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Adverse Events Reporting System (FAERS) has received 1,073 reports of eye disorders linked to liraglutide. Of those, there were 238 reports of blurry vision, 238 of visual impairment and 52 of blindness.
Comparatively, there were 3,073 reports of eye disorders linked to Semaglutide use in the same time frame. From the total reports, 227 were for blindness, 666 were for visual impairment and 695 were for blurry vision.
FAERS data is voluntary, and the FDA can’t verify that the drug caused the condition.
Semaglutide has also been linked to other vision issues. These include the advancement of proliferative retinopathy and new-onset macular edema.
In a study published in July 2024, researchers reported that patients with Type 2 diabetes who took medications containing the GLP-1 drug semaglutide had a roughly four-times higher risk for developing NAION than patients who weren’t on a GLP-1 agonist.
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What Is NAION?
NAION causes painless and sudden vision loss, typically in one eye. It occurs when blood flow to your optic nerve is reduced or blocked, resulting in damage that can be permanent.
The condition is the most common cause of optic nerve-related vision loss in older adults. People with high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea or those over 50 are at the highest risk of developing NAION.
In a research letter published online July 31, 2025, in JAMA Ophthalmology, scientists observed a total of 3,845,171 patients with Type 2 diabetes. Of those, 15.1% were prescribed GLP-1 drugs, 21.7% received insulin and 34.8% took metformin.
Researchers found that 0.2% of patients developed NAION during a follow-up period of 3.7 years. Patients taking GLP-1 medications, specifically liraglutide and semaglutide, had the highest risk of developing NAION.
If you are using GLP-1 medications, be aware of the potential risks and speak with your doctor if you experience any changes in your vision.