In recent years, there has been more light shed on multiple cases of vision impairment linked to weight loss medications. In March 2023, James Norris, a 56-year-old mechanic who hails from Roxbury, New Jersey, decided to try weight loss drugs after struggling to lose weight. He saw how effective Mounjaro was for his wife, who lost 60 pounds after taking it for a couple of months.
Soon after, Norris also started taking Mounjaro after his doctor prescribed it to him for weight management. He thought it was a quick and easy way to shed the extra weight since exercising and dieting did not help, and this proved to be true when he dropped 89 pounds after using the drug for a while.
However, the problem came when his dosage was increased from 1.5 milligrams to 2.5 milligrams weekly. One morning, he woke up with a blurry left eye and two weeks later, his right eye was affected too. He was eventually diagnosed with non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy or NAION - a condition that causes irreversible damage to one's vision. James Norris's condition is not an isolated case, and research has shown how many people are truly negatively affected by weight loss medications.
Many of the type 2 diabetes and weight loss drugs fall under the same class of medications called GLP-1 receptor agonists. These drugs activate a series of mechanisms that help not only in managing type 2 diabetes but also in weight loss. These include increased insulin secretion, suppressed glucagon secretion, delayed gastric emptying, and reduced food intake.
Another class called dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonists stimulate GIP receptors aside from GLP-1 receptors. GIP receptor agonists increase insulin secretion and play a role in fat metabolism. However, despite their benefits, some studies have shown that these medications have adverse effects. The manufacturers disputed these side effects multiple times, even if many patients have experienced the same issue.
Vision loss is one of the conditions that, although rare, is not impossible in individuals using the drugs. In some cases, it may merely be papillitis (inflammation of the optic nerve), which does resolve on its own if mild. In others, it can be irreversible, like paracentral acute middle maculopathy, a condition that affects the macula, a part of the retina that allows us to see clearly. This type of problem is degenerative, so management would involve slowing the progression and preventing worsening.
The worst-case scenario would be non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy or NAION. This happens when there is reduced blood flow to the optic nerve. The condition can be shocking for people who have never had eye problems, as they are forced to adapt to a new lifestyle because of their deteriorating vision.
GLP-1 and dual receptor agonists were primarily created to help control blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. Their additional purpose as weight loss medications only came later. Furthermore, even if research shows a link between vision loss and GLP-1s, like semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and liraglutide (Victoza, Saxenda), or dual receptor agonists, like tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound), these cases are rare and attributed to the rapid correction of high blood sugar rather than the toxic effect of the drugs themselves. An increase in the dosage of the medication was also another factor that contributed to the vision problems.
Additionally, there are studies stating that there is a higher risk of vision loss, specifically NAION, among people taking semaglutide. When your health is on the line, taking medications and other forms of treatment will always have risks. This is just something you will have to consider and weigh for yourself. Of course, if you are one of the unlucky ones who suffered from the adverse effects of the drug, you can still proceed to take legal action.
NAION is, unfortunately, permanent compared to other visual side effects like papillitis. If you were never given full transparency of the pros and cons of your prescribed medication, you can choose to file a claim against the manufacturer of your drug. Atraxia Law can help you with the legal process by reviewing your documents to see if you meet the eligibility criteria.
Acquiring any condition from a drug that is supposed to help you can be scary, so it is best to have all the help you can get in times like these. Once we confirm your documents, we can refer you to a reputable lawyer who is well-versed in this case type, so you have a high chance of claiming the maximum compensation you deserve.