2 Eye Groups Say GLP-1 NAION Risk Remains Low, Unconfirmed
Updated
Updated · reviewofoptometry.com · May 21
2 Eye Groups Say GLP-1 NAION Risk Remains Low, Unconfirmed
2 articles · Updated · reviewofoptometry.com · May 21
A joint statement from the North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society and the American Academy of Ophthalmology said current evidence shows only a possible small increase in NAION risk with semaglutide, with no proven causation.
Retrospective studies and claims-data analyses drove the concern, but the groups said NAION is rare, so even a several-fold relative increase would translate into only a small absolute risk difference.
The guidance urges shared decision-making rather than automatic discontinuation, especially for patients using GLP-1 drugs for obesity, hard-to-control diabetes or cardiovascular comorbidities.
The societies also said clinicians should not assume any potential risk is unique to semaglutide, and that fast-emerging evidence could change the conclusion as new studies arrive.
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