Ozempic/Wegovy Vision Loss Attorneys

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Ozempic and Wegovy Can Cause Blindness

Pope McGlamry is investigating cases of severe vision loss in adults who took Ozempic or Wegovy, which are semaglutide injections used to treat diabetes, weight loss or other medical conditions. A recent medical study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that patients prescribed semaglutide have a higher risk of developing a serious eye condition called non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) than patients who are prescribed non-GLP-1 drugs. NAION causes severe damage to the optic nerve, leading to vision loss and even blindness.

If you have experienced vision loss after using a semaglutide injection such as Ozempic or Wegovy, Pope McGlamry’s experienced defective drug attorneys are here for you. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, we serve clients nationwide and can help you explore the legal options available to get the justice and financial compensation you deserve.

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What are the Claims?

These lawsuits revolve around the manufacturer’s failure to warn consumers that Ozempic and Wegovy are associated with NAION, and that the manufacturer knew or should have known about this association.

The use of semaglutide injections has sky-rocketed in recent years, with a recent analysis indictating that an estimated 1.7% of Americans were prescribed a semaglutide medication in 2023. Despite this, the drug labels lack warnings about the potential risk of blindness with use.

How Does Ozempic/Wegovy Work?

Ozempic and Wegovy are semaglutide medications, a type of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. Ozempic is an injectable approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in people with Type 2 diabetes. Wegovy is another injectable approved by the FDA to help adults and children over the age of 12 with obesity and weight-related conditions. Semagultide mimics a hormone in the human body, GLP-1, that is released in the gastrointestinal tract and helps regulate appetite and blood sugar levels. By mimicking GLP-1 when you eat, semaglutide prompts your body to produce more insulin, which lowers blood sugar. In higher doses, semaglutide can also slow the rate at which food leaves your stomach and interacts with parts of the brain that reduce appetite, prolonging feelings of fullness.

What is NAION?

Non-arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy is the second most common form of optic nerve damage and a leading cause of blindness among adults. NAION occurs when there is insufficient blood flow to the optic nerve. It is sometimes referred to as an “eye stroke” and can result in vision loss or blindness.

Symptoms of NAION

Unfortunately, with NAION, there is usually no warning before vision loss occurs. Many patients notice a sudden loss of vision in one eye when they wake up in the morning. Others may notice a dark area of shadow in their vision that affects half of their vision field. Pain is rarely associated with NAION. If you experience sudden vision loss or shadows in your vision, contact your doctor immediately. Although there are no proven medications to treat NAION, it is critical to have your optic nerve examined to determine the cause and reduce risk factors that may otherwise lead to vision loss or blindness in the other eye.

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If you or a loved one have used Ozempic or Wegovy at any point in time since 2018 and were diagnosed with NAION, you may be eligible for compensation. Call our Atlanta office or submit your free case evaluation.

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Meet Your Legal Team

Michael L. McGlamry

Jay F. Hirsch

Caroline G. McGlamry

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