A new analysis in the British Journal of Ophthalmology has found that Wegovy carries the strongest link to ischemic optic neuropathy (ION), a rare "eye stroke" that can cause sudden vision loss. Researchers examined over 30.6 million FDA adverse-event reports from 2017 to 2024, including 31,774 involving semaglutide drugs.
Wegovy showed odds of ION nearly 75 times higher than expected, far above Ozempic (19x) and generic semaglutide (21x), even though all share the same active ingredient. Rybelsus, the oral form, reported zero ION cases. The signal was over three times higher in men than women, peaking at 116 times expected odds for men on Wegovy.
Researchers suggest Wegovy's higher dose and faster action may cut blood supply to the optic nerve via blood-pressure drops and autonomic instability. In December 2025 a U.S. federal panel consolidated NAION lawsuits against GLP-1 makers, with 73 cases pending as of April 2026.