Can Ozempic Cause Vision Loss? Semaglutide, NAION and the 2026 Evidence

Abstract Semaglutide, marketed as Ozempic and Wegovy, has been associated with non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION), a rare condition that may cause sudden and potentially permanent vision loss. This independent narrative evidence review examines epidemiological studies, pooled randomised-trial safety findings, regulatory decisions and ophthalmological guidance available through 15 October 2026. Observational studies report an increased relative risk of NAION among semaglutide users, although estimates vary between populations and treatment comparators. Residual confounding, differences in outcome ascertainment and potentially overlapping cohorts limit causal interpretation. Absolute excess risk remains small in the populations studied, while randomised-trial evidence includes too few confirmed NAION events to resolve the safety question independently. European regulators have classified NAION as a very rare adverse effect of semaglutide. The review examines regulatory developments across multiple jurisdictions and distinguishes population-level associations, pharmacovigilance assessments and individual clinical decision-making. Particular emphasis is placed on urgent ophthalmic assessment of sudden visual loss, appropriate patient counselling, coordinated prescribing decisions and adverse-event reporting. The review also discusses the limitations of litigation and compensation data as evidence of medical causation. Publication status: Independent, non-peer-reviewed narrative evidence review. First published: 16 October 2026. Evidence reviewed through: 15 October 2026. Funding: No external funding. Financial conflicts of interest: The author declares no financial relationships with manufacturers of semaglutide or other GLP-1 medicines. AI assistance: AI-assisted drafting, source organisation and language editing were used. The author retains responsibility for clinical interpretation, source accuracy and the final content. Original publication: https://drsameraldiri.com/can-ozempic-cause-vision-loss-semaglutide-naion-and-the-2026-evidence/