Ozempic and Vision: A New Frontier in Eye Health?

There’s no denying the buzz around GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro. Whether prescribed for diabetes or off-label for weight loss, these drugs are reshaping modern medicine — and raising questions about their long-term impact.

At Diplopia, we’re not here to tell you what to inject or prescribe. We’re here to protect your eyes — and in this moment of rapid change, that means slowing down and asking thoughtful questions.

Vision Changes & GLP-1 Drugs: What We’re Seeing

While many patients experience improvements in weight and blood sugar, others are reporting side effects — including those that affect the eyes.

AION (Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy): A rare but irreversible condition where the optic nerve suffers a sudden loss of blood supply, leading to sudden vision loss in one eye. Some experts believe blood pressure fluctuations or rapid weight loss may contribute.
Diabetic Retinopathy Risk: In people with diabetes, fast changes in blood sugar (even positive ones) can sometimes accelerate retinal damage.
Dehydration Concerns: GLP-1 drugs can suppress appetite and thirst, increasing the risk of chronic dehydration. That’s more than a dry mouth — your eyes rely on hydration for tear film, corneal health, and intraocular pressure balance.

Is It Safe?

That’s not a yes-or-no question. Clinical trials have shown benefits in weight loss and glucose control — but these drugs haven’t been around long enough to fully understand their long-term effects.

And that’s where we feel compelled to speak up.

We’re not alarmists. But we are holistic providers who take the whole patient into account — and we believe injecting a relatively new drug should come with more monitoring, not less. Especially when it may affect blood flow, nutrient absorption, metabolic rate, and hydration — all of which play key roles in eye health.

A Whole-Body Approach to Eye Care

Whether you're managing diabetes or using a GLP-1 drug for another reason, here’s how we help you protect your vision:

Start with a comprehensive exam. We’ll capture a complete retinal image, screen for subtle signs of damage, and give you a clear baseline.
Monitor over time. Even small changes in retinal blood vessels, optic nerves, or tear film tell a story. We track them so nothing gets missed.
Support your system. We’ll discuss hydration, diet, pressure regulation, supplements, and preventive care — because eye care is about more than your prescription.