Does Semaglutide Cause NAION?

In a recent study published in JAMA Ophthalmology, researchers explored a possible link between the medication semaglutide and a rare type of eye stroke called non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). In this podcast, we’ll explain what this means and why it's important.

What is NAION?

NAION is a condition that affects the optic nerve, leading to sudden vision loss in one eye. It's considered a rare eye stroke and is not related to artery disease.

What is Semaglutide?

Semaglutide is a medication used to help manage blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes and is also prescribed for weight loss. It works by increasing insulin secretion in response to meals, which helps regulate blood sugar levels. Semaglutide also helps reduce appetite and increase feelings of satiety, leading to lower calorie intake. It slows the emptying of the stomach, prolonging the feeling of fullness after eating.

The Study's Findings

The researchers discovered a link between semaglutide and NAION. However, it's important to note that this is just a link. It doesn't prove that semaglutide causes NAION. Showing a connection is only the first step, and proving causation is much more challenging.

Possible Explanations

1. Rapid Changes in the Body: When someone starts taking semaglutide, their body undergoes quick cardiovascular and metabolic changes. These changes could trigger NAION, rather than the medication itself being the direct cause.

2. Common Risk Factors: People who take semaglutide often have conditions like high blood pressure, obstructive sleep apnea, or diabetes. These conditions already put them at higher risk for NAION. Semaglutide might just be a common factor among these patients, rather than the cause of their eye issues.

Study Limitations

The authors note that since their institution specializes in eye conditions, they are more likely to encounter higher numbers of NAION cases. This may limit the generalizability of their findings to other settings.

Additionally, the study's records indicate only whether a medication was dispensed to a patient, not whether it was actually taken as prescribed. This distinction is important for accurately assessing the medication's impact. 

Furthermore, due to NAION's rarity, the analysis included only a small number of cases, which can complicate the interpretation of statistical results.

What Does This All Mean?

Scientists need to conduct further studies to determine if semaglutide directly causes NAION or if other factors are at play. And they should be conducted in a larger and more diverse population.

Expert Picks:

If you’d like to listen about the benefits of semaglutide, check out the following podcasts:

• Long-Term Health Benefits of Semaglutide for Weight Loss 

• How GLP-1 Agonists Like Semaglutide Fight Inflammation

• The Use of GLP-1 Agonists in Post-Heart Attack Care

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