Is Wegovy Causing Vision Problems? What We Know About Eye Health and Semaglutide

Is Wegovy causing vision problems? What the evidence really says about semaglutide, eye health, and rare side effects

August 9, 2025

As Wegovy (semaglutide) becomes more widely used in New Zealand for weight loss, concerns about its potential side effects are growing. Recently, posts in public forums have raised alarm about possible links between Wegovy and serious vision problems. In some cases, users have reported hospitalization and statements from eye specialists suggesting an increase in optic nerve complications.

So, is there any truth to these concerns? Here’s what the evidence says and what you should know if you’re starting or currently using Wegovy.

What People Are Saying Online

In one recent post, a user warned others to "get your eyes checked" before starting Wegovy, citing personal vision loss and a hospital admission. The post claimed that a specialist had seen multiple patients with serious eye issues, all on Wegovy, and ended by turning off comments.

These kinds of posts reflect real concerns and experiences that deserve attention. They can understandably make others feel anxious, especially those just beginning treatment. At the same time, some users have responded by sharing studies and data showing that such side effects are uncommon. This article aims to help by presenting what current medical evidence says about these risks.

The Known Risks: Rare, But Documented

Wegovy’s active ingredient, semaglutide, is a GLP-1 receptor agonist. Eye-related adverse events have been reported, but they are uncommon and appear most often in people with type 2 diabetes, particularly those with a history of diabetic retinopathy or rapid improvement in blood glucose.

The signals most often discussed are:

Worsening of diabetic retinopathy in some patients with pre-existing disease, especially with rapid glycaemic improvement
Nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), a rare cause of sudden vision loss, reported in observational datasets and case series (causality is still being investigated)

In clinical trials involving people with diabetes, retinal complications were more frequent in those who already had retinopathy. Current U.S. prescribing information includes a caution to monitor patients with diabetic retinopathy for progression. Similar cautions appear in other regulatory materials.

What About "Narrow Ocular Nerves"?

One post referenced "narrow ocular nerves" as a risk factor. This is not a recognized medical term. What’s likely being referred to is crowded optic discs, a known anatomical risk factor for NAION, unrelated to semaglutide specifically.

While crowded discs may increase the baseline risk for optic nerve events, there is no direct evidence that having crowded optic discs increases a medication-specific risk with semaglutide. Crowded discs remain a general risk factor for NAION regardless of drug exposure.

In short: it is a theoretical concern, not a proven link.

Are Vision Problems Common with Wegovy?

Serious eye complications with Wegovy appear to be rare, but not zero, and the actual rates depend on the population studied.

Among people with type 2 diabetes, observational data from national registries and pharmacovigilance reports estimate the risk of NAION to be in the range of 8 to 29 cases per 100,000 person-years. This measurement means that if 100,000 people with diabetes used semaglutide for one year, somewhere between 8 and 29 might develop NAION. Methods and case definitions vary across studies, so estimates differ.

In people using semaglutide for weight loss only (without diabetes), the absolute risk of these events is lower and has not been shown to exceed the baseline population rate in available data. Nonetheless, rare optic nerve or retinal events have been reported and are being monitored.

Other vision-related side effects, such as worsening of diabetic retinopathy, have mostly occurred in patients with pre-existing disease. For people without diabetes, the majority of Wegovy users, these risks remain low.

Should You Get an Eye Check Before Starting?

If you have:

A history of diabetic eye disease
Type 2 diabetes with past vision complications
Concerns about your eye health or visual symptoms

...then yes, a baseline eye exam may be helpful.

For others, there is no medical requirement to have an eye check before starting Wegovy. However, if you notice changes to your vision at any point, it is important to speak to a doctor or eye specialist promptly.

Putting the Risk in Perspective

The side effect profile of Wegovy is well known. The most common effects are gastrointestinal, like nausea, constipation, and bloating, and these typically improve over time. Vision problems are rare and largely occur in people with other risk factors.

Wegovy remains one of the most effective and widely prescribed treatments for medical weight loss worldwide. In most cases, the benefits far outweigh the risks, especially when patients are properly screened and supported.

Misinformation Can Spread Quickly

Online posts, especially those that include dramatic claims and discourage discussion, can easily go viral. Some may be genuine; others might be exaggerated, emotionally charged, or simply inaccurate.

It is normal to feel concerned when you read about someone else’s adverse experience. But it is equally important to ground your decisions in real evidence, not fear. If you're ever unsure, speak to a healthcare provider who understands the medication and your personal health history.

Final Thoughts

Yes, Wegovy, like all medications, carries risks. But serious vision problems are rare, and they are mostly confined to people with preexisting conditions or unique risk factors.

If you have questions, ask. If you're nervous, start a conversation. And if you're ready to begin your Wegovy journey, make sure you're doing it with a team who can support you every step of the way.

Start your free consultation with Well Revolution. Your $80 prescription includes a personalised care plan and three months of real-time support from your GP and care team.

‍

References

Get Wegovy Support Now