The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently issued a global safety alert regarding a rare but severe vision threat associated with popular diabetes and weight-loss medications containing semaglutide. This alert specifically pertains to three well-known brand-name drugs: Ozempic, Rybelsus, and Wegovy. The organization has highlighted the risk of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), a condition recognized for causing sudden and irreversible vision loss. According to the WHO, individuals experiencing abrupt vision loss while on these medications should seek immediate medical intervention.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has already acted on this concern, updating the safety information related to semaglutide and recommending that NAION be classified as a “very rare” side effect after conducting a thorough safety review. The EMA’s Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) examined numerous data sources, including clinical trials, post-marketing surveillance, and relevant medical literature, culminating in the determination that NAION could affect approximately 1 in 10,000 users of semaglutide medications, thus earning its classification as a very rare adverse event.
NAION is a significant contributor to vision loss in adults and is recognized as the second most common optic neuropathy after glaucoma. Typically, it presents as sudden, painless vision loss in one eye, often accompanied by swelling of the optic disc. The WHO and healthcare professionals are urging patients taking semaglutide to be vigilant and report any sudden changes in vision or deteriorating eyesight without delay. If NAION is confirmed through medical evaluation, it is critical to discontinue treatment with semaglutide immediately.
The WHO’s alert is reflective of both the widespread international use of semaglutide medications and the serious consequences associated with NAION. The alert also represents a continuation of ongoing scrutiny over GLP-1 receptor agonists, which have markedly transformed treatment options for diabetes and obesity while revealing new safety considerations as their application expands across the globe. Semaglutide, as a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA), has gained significant traction in the medical community for its efficacy in managing type 2 diabetes and aiding in weight loss.
Reports of NAION cases related to semaglutide have been documented in multiple countries, using data collected through VigiBase, the WHO’s global database for tracking adverse drug reactions. During their May 2025 meeting, the WHO Advisory Committee on Safety of Medicinal Products (ACSoMP) thoroughly evaluated the available evidence and concluded that the risk management plans associated with semaglutide should be updated to include NAION as a potential risk. This assessment may lead to enhanced monitoring measures for this adverse event. Healthcare providers are advised to engage in discussions with patients currently using or considering semaglutide therapy, stressing the importance of seeking immediate medical attention for any sudden vision changes while undergoing treatment.
-Raja Aditya
