GLP-1 drugs and NAION: the published evidence on one page

This page brings together the published research on GLP-1 drugs, such as semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro), and non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy, or NAION. NAION is a sudden, painless loss of vision caused by poor blood flow to the front of the optic nerve.

I used a large-language model to search the published literature and to set out every published estimate of NAION risk with these drugs on one page, together with the absolute rates where the studies reported them, and write up the explanation below.

‍View the GLP-1 drugs and NAION page full size

What it is

• A single interactive page listing the cohort studies, randomised trials and meta-analyses that report NAION in people taking a GLP-1 drug compared with people on another treatment.
• Summary boxes at the top give the published pooled figures and the European Medicines Agency position.
• A chart shows every study estimate on one scale, as published, and can be filtered by study type.
• A second chart shows the yearly rate of NAION on the drug and on the comparison treatment for each study that reported one, grouped by study type, with the difference between the two.
• Further panels list the reported risk factors and the reasons the studies give for differing results.
• Every figure is linked to a numbered source at the foot of the page.

How it was made

• A Zotero reference library was searched first, then PubMed on 28 October 2026, using 22 queries. 300 records were retrieved and 151 abstracts were read. Full text was opened for research letters without abstracts.
• Figures were taken as published from each paper. Ratios are oriented so that a value above 1 means more NAION on the GLP-1 drug. No new pooling was done; pooled figures are those of the published meta-analyses.
• Where a study reported risk over a period longer than one year, the rate was divided by the length of follow-up to give a yearly rate.

If you have questions about your eyes while taking one of these medicines, please do not hesitate to reach out.

About Dr Leo Sheck

Book your appointment now to see Dr Sheck

Dr Sheck is a RANZCO-qualified, internationally trained ophthalmologist and runs a popular and respected practice in Auckland. He combined his initial training in New Zealand with a two-year advanced fellowship in Moorfield Eye Hospital, London. He also holds a Doctorate in Ocular Genetics from the University of Auckland and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Cambridge. He specialises in medical retina diseases (injection therapy), cataract surgery, ocular genetics, uveitis and electrodiagnostics.