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There could be an association between Novo Nordisk’s (NVO) popular anti-obesity therapy semaglutide and an eye disorder called NAION (nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy), according to a small study published in the medical journal JAMA on Wednesday.
The study showed that obese or overweight patients who received semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor, were over eight times more likely to develop NAION compared to those who received non-GLP receptor agonist medications.
Meanwhile, those who used semaglutide for diabetes demonstrated an over-fourfold increase in the risk of developing NAION.
For the analysis, the researchers obtained data from more than 16,000 patients treated at Massachusetts Eye and Ear, a Harvard-affiliated hospital.
However, noting that their research focused only on existing data, the scientists highlighted the need for additional studies to confirm the findings.
NAION refers to a loss of blood flow to the optic nerve, which is the conduit carrying visual signals from the eye to the brain.
It’s the most common cause of sudden optic nerve injury in those over 50, affecting an estimated ~10 Americans for every 100,000.
Semaglutide, sold as Ozempic for diabetes and Wegovy for weight loss, dominates the market for anti-obesity medications in the U.S. with Eli Lilly’s (LLY) dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist, tirzepatide.