Does Wegovy Affect Eyesight? A Detailed Look at Semaglutide and Vision Health

October 7, 2025 •

3 min read

A 2024 study in JAMA Ophthalmology found that people prescribed semaglutide (the active ingredient in Wegovy) for obesity were seven times more likely to experience certain serious vision changes compared to those on other weight-loss medications. These findings have prompted a closer look at whether Wegovy affects eyesight and the potential risks to eye health.

Quick Summary

Wegovy's active ingredient, semaglutide, is associated with both temporary and rare, serious vision side effects. These include temporary blurred vision due to rapid blood sugar shifts and a potential link to a rare but severe condition called NAION, particularly in patients with pre-existing conditions like diabetes.

Key Points

Blurred Vision: Temporary blurred vision can occur when starting Wegovy due to rapid shifts in blood glucose levels, particularly in diabetic patients.
Diabetic Retinopathy: Semaglutide may temporarily worsen pre-existing severe diabetic retinopathy, likely due to rapid improvements in glucose control.
NAION Risk: Studies have linked semaglutide to a very rare, potentially blinding condition called NAION, with increased risk reported for patients with diabetes and obesity.
Regular Eye Exams: Patients taking Wegovy, especially those with diabetes or other risk factors, should undergo regular eye examinations with an ophthalmologist.
Report Visual Changes: Any sudden changes in vision, such as blurriness, loss of sight, or visual field defects, should be reported to a healthcare provider immediately.
Risk vs. Benefit: The overall health benefits of Wegovy, including cardiovascular protection and weight loss, often outweigh the very low risk of severe eye side effects for most patients.

Wegovy, a weekly injection containing the active ingredient semaglutide, is a popular and effective treatment for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or those who are overweight with at least one weight-related condition. Recent research and post-marketing surveillance have highlighted potential impacts on vision.

The Dual Nature of Vision Changes with Semaglutide

Vision changes associated with semaglutide can be categorized into common, often temporary side effects and more serious, rare conditions.

Temporary Blurred Vision from Glycemic Shifts

A common vision-related side effect is temporary blurred vision, often linked to rapid blood sugar level correction, particularly in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Significant blood glucose fluctuations can alter the eye's lens shape. As semaglutide lowers blood sugar, the lens adjusts, causing temporary blurring, which typically resolves within a few months. Older patients with less flexible lenses may notice this more.

Worsening of Pre-existing Diabetic Retinopathy

Clinical trials, including SUSTAIN-6, observed a temporary worsening of diabetic retinopathy in patients with severe pre-existing diabetic eye disease. This condition involves high blood sugar damaging retinal blood vessels. Experts believe rapid glucose control may cause this transient effect. Wegovy's prescribing information includes warnings about this risk, though some studies present conflicting data. Patients with diabetes and existing retinopathy need careful monitoring by an ophthalmologist.

Rare but Serious Conditions: NAION and Macular Issues

Recent studies suggest a potential link between semaglutide and the rare but severe condition non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION).

NAION: This condition, often called an "eye stroke," results from insufficient blood flow to the optic nerve, causing sudden, painless vision loss, usually in one eye. A 2024 JAMA Ophthalmology study indicated that obese patients on semaglutide were seven times more likely to be diagnosed with NAION than those on other weight-loss drugs. NAION is rare, and a definitive causal link is unestablished. The European Medicines Agency considers NAION a very rare side effect. Risk factors include hypertension, sleep apnea, and diabetes.
Other Macular Complications: Rare reports include macular edema. Some research suggests a possible link to wet age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) in older adults, though the overall risk is low and requires more study.

Comparison of Ocular Side Effects


Side Effect	Cause	Typical Onset	Severity	Reversibility	Prevalence
Blurred Vision	Rapid blood glucose fluctuations affecting the eye's lens	Early in treatment	Mild to moderate	Often temporary; resolves within months	Common
Worsening Diabetic Retinopathy	Rapid improvement in glycemic control	Early in treatment	Variable; can be managed with monitoring	Transient; long-term control is beneficial	In patients with pre-existing severe condition
Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION)	Poorly understood; possibly linked to vascular effects	Within the first year of treatment	Severe; potential permanent vision loss	Irreversible	Very rare
Macular Edema	Increased fluid in the macula	Variable	Moderate to severe; can affect central vision	Depends on cause and treatment	Rare
Dry Eyes	Dehydration, a common side effect of semaglutide	Early to mid-treatment	Mild to moderate	Often resolves with hydration; treatable with drops	Common

Recommendations for Patients

Given the potential risks, medical experts recommend a cautious approach for patients on Wegovy:

Pre-treatment Eye Exam: Patients with diabetes should have a comprehensive eye exam before starting semaglutide to establish a baseline for retinopathy.
Regular Monitoring: Physicians and ophthalmologists should monitor patients, particularly those with existing eye conditions or NAION risk factors.
Immediate Reporting: Report any sudden vision changes (blurriness, distortion, loss of peripheral vision) to a healthcare provider immediately, especially for rare conditions like NAION.
Weighing Risks and Benefits: Wegovy's significant health benefits, including weight loss and cardiovascular risk reduction, often outweigh the low risk of severe eye complications. Discuss these factors with your doctor.
Hydration: Staying hydrated can help with common side effects like dry eyes.

Conclusion: Balancing the Benefits and Risks

While Wegovy offers substantial health benefits, its potential impact on eyesight warrants careful consideration, especially for individuals with pre-existing eye conditions or other risk factors. Common temporary blurred vision is typically mild, but rare conditions like NAION and exacerbation of diabetic retinopathy emphasize the need for medical supervision and proactive eye care. The decision to use Wegovy should be made in consultation with your doctor, considering all risks and benefits, and should include regular eye examinations.

For more information on eye health and semaglutide, consult resources from the American Academy of Ophthalmology: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/news/can-ozempic-affect-eye-health-here-s-what-ophthalm

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, temporary blurred vision is a relatively common side effect, especially when first starting Wegovy. It typically occurs because rapid changes in blood sugar levels can affect the shape of the eye's lens, and it usually resolves within a few months as your body adjusts.

While extremely rare, some studies have shown an association between semaglutide (Wegovy's active ingredient) and non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION, an 'eye stroke') which can cause sudden vision loss. Experts emphasize that this risk is very low, and causality is not definitively proven.

Yes, patients with diabetes may have an increased risk of vision-related issues. Studies have noted a potential for transient worsening of pre-existing diabetic retinopathy during periods of rapid glucose control. The risk of NAION also appears to be higher in diabetic patients using semaglutide.

You should contact your prescribing doctor and an eye physician immediately if you experience any sudden changes in vision, such as blurred vision, distorted colors, loss of peripheral vision, or dark spots.

It is recommended that patients with diabetes or those at high risk for eye conditions have a baseline eye examination with an ophthalmologist before beginning semaglutide therapy. This helps monitor for any changes during treatment.

The link between semaglutide and NAION is an association, not a definitive cause-and-effect relationship, based on available research. Further studies are needed to determine if the medication directly causes the condition or if other factors contribute to the risk.

Some newer research suggests a slight increase in risk for neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), particularly in older adults, but the overall risk remains low. Patients with underlying eye disease should be monitored closely by their ophthalmologist.