Is Semaglutide Linked to NAION? A Case Report on a Rare Ocular Complication.

Background and Clinical Significance: Ischemic optic neuropathies (IONs) are significant causes of vision loss resulting from compromised blood flow to the optic nerve. Diabetes mellitus (DM) exacerbates the risk of IONs through chronic hyperglycemia and associated vascular dysfunction. Recently, semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, has been linked to ocular complications, including non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), potentially due to the rapid glycemic changes or vascular effects. Case Presentation: A 55-year-old female with type 2 DM, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia presented with blurred vision and optic disc edema after four months of semaglutide therapy (Ozempic®, Sydney, Australia). Initially diagnosed with diabetic papillopathy (DP), her condition progressed to NAION, leading to partial visual recovery with corticosteroid treatment and improved glycemic management. Diagnostic evaluations, including visual field testing, optical coherence tomography, and fluorescein angiography, supported the diagnosis.

Conclusions

This case report describes the clinical course of a diabetic patient treated with a semaglutide who developed an ischemic optic event. The timing of symptom onset in relation to the initiation of semaglutide therapy raises the possibility of a causal association between the drug and this rare ocular complication. Close monitoring of ocular health is crucial for patients on GLP-1 receptor agonists, particularly those with pre-existing vascular risk factors. Further research is needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and guide clinical practice.