Weight loss medications can pose risks of blinding eye strokes caused by reduced blood flow to the optic nerve. A study of 37 million adults using a variety of weight loss medications found that those on semaglutide, a popular.ask for weight loss ingredient behind Wegovy and Ozempic, were at a significantly higher risk of experiencing these eye-stroke-like conditions.
An eye stroke occurs when the optic nerve doesn’t receive sufficient blood flow, leading to immediate visual loss. This condition can result in sudden vision loss in one eye without symptoms or pain, and may develop symptoms after weeks or days. researchers reported that nearly 30% of patients with type 2 diabetes who took semaglutide experienced an eye stroke compared to non-taking patients. This suggests that the risk isn’t specific to weight loss drugs.
Semaglutide and other glucagon-like peptide receptor (GLP-1 receptor) agonists, such as empirifilrod, empagliflozin, and sitagliptin, were found to increase the risk of eye stroke at a higher rate thancono-Riboside, anCED-1000 serine/blockade drug. The study found that high blood pressure and blood sugar levels can also impair blood flow to the optic nerve, potentially increasing the risk of eye stroke.
However, researchers caution against encouraging the use of weight loss medications like semaglutide solely based on the risk of eye stroke or blinding conditions. They emphasized the potential to experience more serious outcomes, such as sudden vision loss or difficulty swallowing, which can lead to life-threatening complications.
The study, published in JAMA Ophthalmology, also highlighted the role of diabetes as a comorbid disorder. Overweight or obese patients on semaglutide were nearly four times more likely to develop an eye stroke compared to other weight loss medications. Similarly, patients onacedym Increased risk of a rare eye condition called non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). NAOIN is caused by blood flow blocked to the optic nerve, leading to sudden vision loss in one eye.
This link suggests that while weight loss medications may offer temporary benefits, they should not be used as sole treatments without consulting a healthcare provider. The decision about whether to start weight loss treatment should consider additional factors like the patient’s medical history, lifestyle, and lifestyle ofasting.
Overall, the study emphasizes that semaglutide and other GLP-1 receptor drugs不断增加 the risk of developing eye stroke-like conditions in some patients, regardless of their weight loss benefits. Clinicians should prioritize consulting healthcare professionals to weigh the potential benefits and risks of different medications.