Hundreds of lawsuits claim GLP-1 drugs cause vision loss
Plaintiffs allege that weight-loss medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro caused a rare eye condition leading to permanent vision loss, while manufacturers deny a link.
Hundreds of lawsuits have been filed in the United States against Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, accusing their GLP-1 drugs of causing non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), a sudden loss of vision that can lead to blindness. The suits contend that the companies knew or should have known about the risk, yet the U.S. labels for semaglutide, tirzepatide and dulaglutide products—including Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound, Mounjaro and Trulicity—do not warn patients, although some foreign labels have been updated.
The complaints cite cases in which patients experienced rapid vision loss after beginning treatment, including a reported instance of a 63-year-old man who became legally blind after using Ozempic. Plaintiffs argue the condition results from reduced blood flow to the optic nerve and has no available treatment.
Novo Nordisk told NBC it is "vigorously" contesting the claims, and Eli Lilly said patient safety remains its "top priority." Both companies maintain that there is no proven connection between their medications and NAION.
"It’s scary," said Phoenix attorney Maria Raciti of Phillips Law Group, which represents dozens of clients alleging GLP-1 injuries. She noted a surge in vision-loss complaints this summer and said her firm has received close to 200 calls about the issue.