Ozempic increases risk of debilitating eye condition: studies

Interesting synchronicity of seeing this article. I just had an optometrist appointment this morning and my glasses prescription updated/renewed. The only medication I am on is Ozempic for weight management, ~8 months, lost ~40 lbs so far. My old prescription was -1.75 / -1.0 (about 5 years ago), and my new one is -0.5, -0.5. My optometrist said it was unusual but likely due to having blood glucose under control as it changes the blood pressure and shape of your eyes slightly.

It drives me nuts when these things say stuff like "doubles your risk" w/o giving the original risk. Risk doubling from 5% to 10% is not in the same universe as risk doubling from .02% to .04%, which I believe is the actual risk in this case.

&gt; Two independent studies from the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) show that patients with type 2 diabetes who are treated with the drug Ozempic have an increased risk of developing damage to the optic nerve of the eye [NAION], which can lead to severe and permanent loss of vision.<p>&gt; The condition [NAION] is often developed by patients who are at particular risk of cardiovascular disease. The risk factors are diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Patients affected by the condition also tend to have some physical conditions in the eye, which can be the triggering factor.

Appears to be two science research papers:<p>Paper: <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.sdu.dk&#x2F;-&#x2F;media&#x2F;files&#x2F;om_sdu&#x2F;fakulteterne&#x2F;sundhedsvidenskab&#x2F;nyheder&#x2F;semaglutide-doubles-the-risk-of-naion-in-a-national-t2d-cohort-ijrv-accepted.pdf" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.sdu.dk&#x2F;-&#x2F;media&#x2F;files&#x2F;om_sdu&#x2F;fakulteterne&#x2F;sundhed...</a> &quot;Once-weekly semaglutide doubles the five-year risk of nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic2 neuropathy in a Danish cohort of 424,152 persons with type 2 diabetes.&quot;<p>Preprint : <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.medrxiv.org&#x2F;content&#x2F;10.1101&#x2F;2024.12.09.24318574v1" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.medrxiv.org&#x2F;content&#x2F;10.1101&#x2F;2024.12.09.24318574v...</a> &quot;Use of semaglutide and risk of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy: A Danish–Norwegian cohort study&quot;

Important to note that this side effect is still very rare and that we still use drugs with similarly serious and rare side effects.<p>The authors of the study do not recommend abandoning these drugs, rather we should understand and manage the risks.

Such a curiously-worded headline, to refer to Ozempic specifically – quite a recognizable &amp; understood term at this point! – as just some &quot;Danish diabetes medicine&quot;.<p>I almost expected the source to be some group with a resentment towards Denmark – maybe Greenland separatists? – but no, it&#x27;s just a Danish university that doesn&#x27;t want to say &#x27;Ozempic&#x27; in the headline directly.

The data seems a bit strange. The peaks better align with our good old COVID, than with the semaglutide prevalence.<p>So it might be reading complications from COVID, rather than semaglutide.

The medicine: semaglutide (Ozempic, Rybelsus, possibly Wegowy)

in patients with Type 2 diabetes

I really don&#x27;t like these medicines that give people who indulge themselves excessively an easy way out. Maybe these side effects are nature&#x27;s price for not doing the work.

If you literally cannot stop yourself from being obese any other way, then Ozempic and similar may be a good choice.<p>But the side effects are large. You can never, ever stop taking it. We don&#x27;t know what being on it for decades causes. There are anecdotes that it numbs you out emotionally.<p>There are no shortcuts in life. There is always a tradeoff.