Australia Warns 5 GLP-1 Drugs May Trigger Rare Blindness Disorder
Updated
Updated · The West Australian · Jul 24
Australia Warns 5 GLP-1 Drugs May Trigger Rare Blindness Disorder
3 articles · Updated · The West Australian · Jul 24
Summary
Australia’s TGA issued a safety warning for five GLP-1 medicines — including Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro — over a potential link to NAION, a rare eye disorder that can cause permanent vision loss or blindness.
The regulator said the signal emerged after a July 2024 JAMA Ophthalmology study, then underwent an independent review that found conflicting evidence and prompted advice from the Advisory Committee on Medicines.
At its October 2025 meeting, the committee said current evidence may support the signal for semaglutide, but not dulaglutide or tirzepatide, leading the TGA to update product and consumer medicine information and publish safety communications.
The warning tells patients to seek urgent medical attention for sudden vision loss; in a related update, the TGA has identified 36 NAION cases linked to GLP-1 drugs and has not advised patients to stop treatment without consulting a doctor.
With suspected cases of vision loss reported, should patients risk their eyesight for the massive cardiometabolic benefits of popular GLP-1 medications?
Why are regulators issuing severe eye warnings for popular weight-loss drugs when major scientific studies still show conflicting evidence about the actual risks?