A recent research led by members of Massachusetts Eye and Ear hospital, US, found that patients with obesity who were prescribed weight loss drugs were diagnosed with a rare eye blinding condition.
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The findings of this study are published in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Ophthalmology.
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According to the study, the patients have been diagnosed with 'Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy' (NAION) that causes sudden vision loss in one eye.
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Patients with diabetes or obesity, who are commonly prescribed weight loss drugs such as Ozempic or Wegovy are more prone to blinding risks.
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Such weight loss drugs contain protein semaglutide, which helps manage blood sugar by promoting insulin production.
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NAION is a rare eye blinding condition that affects two to ten people per one lakh population, as per American Academy of Ophthalmology.
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The researchers do not know why or how the rare eye condition can be linked with weight loss drugs. Further studies and research are required to detect the link.
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The condition is thought to be caused by reduced blood flow to the optic nerve head, leading to permanent loss of vision in one eye.
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The researchers included data from records of more than 17,000 patients at the hospital, who have been diagnosed with diabetes or obesity and were prescribed weight loss drugs.
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According to Joseph Rizzo, director of the Neuro-Ophthalmology Service at the hospital, the patient should always discuss the risks of NAION before the physician prescribes weight loss drugs.