New Delhi: Popular weight loss medications are associated with something unusual eye-popping situationWeight-loss drugs commonly prescribed to patients with diabetes or obesity, such as Ozempic or Wegovy, have fewer side effects than other medications, according to a new study. Protein SemaglutideWhich helps manage blood sugar by promoting the production of insulin.

A team of researchers led by Massachusetts Eye and Ear Hospital, US, found that obese patients who were given these weight loss drugs were seven times more likely to have NAION, or ‘non-arteritic anterior ischemic’. Optic Neuropathy’, causing sudden loss of vision in one eye.

They also found that diabetic patients who were taking these semaglutide-containing drugs were four times more likely to be diagnosed with NAION. These findings are published in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Ophthalmology.

“We did not have this information previously and it should be included in discussions between patients and their doctors, especially if patients have other known information.” optic nerve Problems such as glaucoma or if there is a significant pre-existing condition visual impairment “It could be for other reasons,” said lead author Joseph Rizzo, MD, director of the Neuro-Ophthalmology Service at Massachusetts Eye and Ear.

Rizzo stressed that the increased risk is related to a relatively uncommon disorder and that further study is needed because researchers don’t know why or how the link between weight-loss drugs and the eye condition exists.

Therefore, Rizzo said, “these findings should be considered significant but tentative.”

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, NAION is relatively rare, affecting 2-10 people per 100,000 population. The condition is believed to be caused by reduced blood flow to the optic nerve head, leading to permanent loss of vision in one eye.

In their analysis, the researchers included data from the records of more than 17,000 hospitalized patients with diabetes or obesity who were given semaglutide-containing or other weight-loss drugs.

“The use of these drugs is increasing rapidly throughout the world.” Industrialized countries And they have provided very significant benefits in many ways, but future discussions between the patient and their physician should include NAION as a potential risk,” Rizzo said.