New Link Between Ozempic and Wet AMD

The study looked at nearly 140,000 patients with type 2 diabetes who took GLP-1 RA drugs between 2020 and 2023. The increase in the risk of wet AMD was statistically significant. Individuals with diabetes who took these medications were twice as likely to
develop wet AMD than those who did not. Further, the risk of blindness was found to increase with the duration of Ozempic use.

Wet AMD is a new concern, separate and in addition to an association between Ozempic and both diabetic retinopathy and nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) blindness. At the end of June, more than twenty-one New Jersey plaintiffs who say they suffered permanent vision loss after taking Ozempic or Wegovy are seeking to consolidate their lawsuits into a multicounty litigation against Novo Nordisk.

Wet AMD blindness

Wet AMD is an aggressive form of age-related macular degeneration and a leading cause of irreversible vision loss among older adults in the United States. The symptoms usually appear suddenly and worsen quickly. They may include:

• Visual distortions, such as straight lines that seem to be bent.
• Reduced central vision in one or both eyes.
• The need for brighter light when reading or doing close-up work.
• Difficulty adjusting to low light levels, such as when entering a dimly lit restaurant or theater.
• Increased blurriness of printed words.
• Difficulty recognizing faces; and
• A well-defined blurry spot or blind spot in the field of vision.

Macular degeneration affects central vision only, so patients are likely to retain at least some side vision. It particularly affects those over the age of 60 and is thought to be caused by the growth of abnormal blood vessels under the retina that cause swelling and bleeding. There are a variety of theories about why this condition appears to be associated with GLP-1 RAs.

The new findings suggest a need for increased awareness among healthcare professionals and patients, particularly those with diabetes, about the potential link between various forms of blindness and Ozempic.

But why Ozempic?

Experts are still investigating the exact mechanisms by which GLP-1 RAs might increase the risk of wet AMD. One theory is that the rapid blood sugar fluctuations caused by these medications could affect oxygen supply to the blood vessels in the eyes. Another suggests that GLP-1 receptors, which these medications target, are present in the retina and may play a role in the development of wet AMD. 

No global theory has emerged to explain the association of GLP-1 RAs, like Ozempic, with other forms of blindness like NAION. But several common factors may play a part. They include:

• rapid blood sugar fluctuations;
• changes in blood vessel function which may impact retinal microcirculation; 
• direct effects on the optic nerve;
• potential allergic reactions;
• the effect of these drugs on a small cluster of newly-discovered neurons in the brain stem; and
• underlying co-morbidities, like diabetes and increased age.

Further medical research may soon provide more guidance to patients and their doctors. While the science grinds on, however, the danger persists. The lawsuits continue, as well.

Ozempic and other GLP-1 RA lawsuits – the big picture

As of May 2025, more than 1,800 lawsuits were consolidated in In re: Glugagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1 RAS) Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 3094. These are proceeding in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and focus on the propensity of drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy to cause gastrointestinal injuries. Some, however, also mention vision loss or blindness.

In general, the consolidated lawsuits allege that the manufacturers failed in their duty of care to patients by failing to adequately warn them and their doctors about potential severe side effects. This subset of Ozempic lawsuits is probably the most developed to date and those cases will likely be the first to get to trial.

A separate subset of NAION lawsuits has sprung up in New Jersey. One such lawsuit, filed by Todd Engel alleges that he ultimately became legally blind in both eyes after taking Ozempic and lost his ability to work. His lawsuit may ultimately become the nexus for a separate set of consolidated lawsuits that focus on vision loss.

To date, no lawsuits that focus on the possible link between Ozempic and wet AMD appear to have been filed, but many Ozempic lawsuits are already pending. It would not be surprising to see a new wave of litigation that centers on this harm.