Can Ozempic Cause Eye Problems?

“For almost 3 weeks in 2001, I experienced blurry vision that was so bad, there were times when I couldn’t see a thing,” says David, about his experience before joining the Virta program.These ocular issues are what led to him being diagnosed with diabetes and later trying multiple medications to try to unsuccessfully manage the health issues that came with the diagnosis.

Maybe you’re similar to David, and are considering medications like Ozempic or Wegovy as treatments for obesity or type 2 diabetes. While many are aware of the gastrointestinal side effects of semaglutides and GLP-1 weight loss drugs like Ozempic, there are other health concerns to consider, such as blurred vision and dry eyes to more serious issues like diabetic retinopathy and blindness.

Here’s what you need to know about semaglutide eye side effects that may come from using medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy.

Possible Ozempic Eye Problems 

Can Ozempic affect your eyes? This is an important question anyone who is contemplating taking a semaglutide like Ozempic should consider. Here are some common eye-related side effects that Ozempic can cause.

Blurred Vision

People with diabetes know that changes in blood sugar level can affect their body in various ways. And semaglutide blurry vision is a common complaint of individuals who take medications like Ozempic and Wegovy.

In an article for the American Association of Ophthalmology (AAO), Dr. Raj Maturi, a retina specialist, shares that older individuals are more likely to experience blurred vision when beginning medications such as Ozempic or Wegovy. Why? Aging makes the eye’s lens less flexible, which means their vision takes longer to adjust to changes in blood sugar levels.

“The good news is that this is a temporary side effect, usually subsiding after three or four months,” said Dr. Maturi.

Dry eyes

Having dry eyes while taking Ozempic or Wegovy isn't unusual, and these medications can contribute to eye dryness in a few ways. 

First, many people using these medications already have diabetes, and this, in its own right, is independently linked to dry eye issues. In addition, semaglutide medications commonly cause dehydration, and because a reduction in body fluid levels can affect tear production, you may experience Ozempic dry eye. To minimize this side effect, staying well-hydrated is especially important.

Diabetic Retinopathy

People with diabetes or those who struggle with blood sugar control are at risk for retinopathy, which is when retinal blood vessels swell, leak, or potentially even close off completely. The use of semaglutides may exacerbate this.

Diabetic retinopathy can develop when a patient living with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has high blood sugars that damage the blood vessels in the retina, a part of the eye that’s critical to helping the brain form images that help make sense of the visible world.

The longer one has type 2 diabetes, the greater the risk becomes of developing diabetic retinopathy. And higher blood sugars tend to be associated with a higher risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. Not everyone with type 2 diabetes will develop diabetic retinopathy. But for folks living with type 2 diabetes, keeping blood sugars under good control can help prevent severe vision loss, and even slow progression of retinopathy. 

Is Wegovy and Ozempic Blindness A Real Thing?

A recent study led by Mass Eye and Ear indicates that individuals taking a semaglutide have a higher risk of a rare but potentially blinding eye condition called non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). 

The research, which was published in JAMA Ophthalmology, suggests that individuals who were prescribed semaglutides for their diabetes were four times more likely to develop NAION compared with people on other medications. Similarly, people who took semaglutide to treat obesity were more than seven times more likely to experience NAION.

Informally, people who take Ozempic who are diagnosed NAION are said to experience “Ozempic eye rot.”

Ozempic Eye FAQs

What are ‘Ozempic eyes’?

"Ozempic eyes" is a slang term that describes the appearance of eyes that some people experience while taking a GLP-1 receptor agonist. This often occurs because of rapid weight loss, and the eyes appear to be more pronounced or may seem like a deepening of the eye sockets. Still wondering “What do diabetic eyes look like?” Ozempic eyes also often have shadows and create more of an aged appearance.

Does blurred vision from Ozempic go away?

Blurred vision is often temporary and resolves for many people who take Ozempic. This side effect can occur for several reasons, such as dehydration, blood sugar fluctuation, and rapid weight loss, all of which are side effects of medications like Ozempic and Wegovy.

What is Ozempic eye rot?

“Ozempic eye rot” is a slang term used online, in social media, and by some media outlets to describe NAION and other Ozempic eye problems that some patients have reported while taking GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as Ozempic and Wegovy. However, it’s importanrt to note that complaints of “Ozempic eye rotting” are hyperbolic, and that while some people experience eye issues while using GLP-1s, they usually encompass more mundane symptoms like changes in vision, dry eye, or a sunken appearance around the eyes.

Prevention and Management

While research is evolving on the relationship between Ozempic and eye problems, current evidence suggests that blurry vision, dryness, and other ocular issues are the most common side effects related to vision  of GLP-1 agonists.

If you're currently taking these medications, it’s important to establish a baseline eye examination and schedule regular follow-ups with an eye doctor—especially if you have pre-existing eye conditions or diabetes.

Though medications aren’t your only option to manage diabetes and live a healthier lifestyle. Virta Health helped David, Robin, and many others feel like themselves again and reduce eye issues with supportive resources like 1:1 virtual coaching. See if you’re eligible for Virta Health here.

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