09/25/2026
There has been a lot of news coverage recently about GLP-1 medications and vision loss.
These medications may be linked to a small increase in the risk of a rare optic nerve disease called non-arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy or NAION. Currently, it is not clear that these medications directly cause NAION. For example, diabetes is a known risk factor for NAION and many people take GLP-1 medications for diabetes.
The benefits of GLP-1 medications for patients with diabetes, heart disease, or severe obesity, likely outweigh this small potential risk.
Please refer to the joint statement by the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society in the article below for more information.
All of the ophthalmologists at Iowa Eye Center regularly diagnose and treat disorders of the optic nerve such as NAION. Please call us if you have questions or concerns about your vision.
Nation’s ophthalmologists and neuro-ophthalmologists clarify the science and advise patients taking these drugs.