For many people, weight-loss medication has become more than just a health trend. Drugs like Wegovy are increasingly seen as a lifeline for those who have struggled with obesity, failed diets, and years of frustration over their weight.
But as the number of users continues to rise worldwide, researchers are paying closer attention to possible long-term side effects.
A new study highlighted by BMJ Group has now raised concerns about a rare eye condition that, in severe cases, may lead to sudden vision loss, reports Science Daily.
Researchers found a pattern
The study analyzed millions of reports from the US Food and Drug Administration’s adverse event database. Researchers compared several semaglutide-based medications, including Wegovy and Ozempic.
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According to the findings, Wegovy showed the strongest statistical association with ischemic optic neuropathy, a condition that affects the optic nerve when blood flow becomes restricted or blocked. In some cases, the condition can result in partial or complete blindness.
Researchers stressed that the analysis does not prove the medication directly causes the condition.
More questions remain
Experts believe the higher dosage used in Wegovy could be one possible explanation for the stronger signal seen in the study. At the same time, researchers emphasized that the complication still appears to be extremely rare.
Even so, scientists say the findings deserve further investigation as the use of weight-loss drugs continues to expand globally.
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