Australia's TGA warns of rare eye disease linked to GLP‑1 weight‑loss drugs

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) issued a safety alert that GLP‑1 medicines used for type‑2 diabetes and obesity—such as semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy), tirzepatide (Mounjaro), dulaglutide (Trulicity) and liraglutide (Saxenda)—may be associated with non‑arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). NAION can cause sudden, painless vision loss and permanent blindness, and no proven treatment exists. The TGA reported 36 adverse events in Australia, including 23 on semaglutide. Patients are advised to stop the medication and seek urgent medical care if they notice visual changes.

International health bodies have also highlighted the risk; a U.S. study of 17,000 patients found a higher incidence of NAION among semaglutide users, and both the WHO and the European Medicines Agency have issued alerts. Optometry Australia urges patients not to panic but to report any vision changes promptly.

Separately, medical experts warn that GLP‑1 drugs can lead to muscle loss, fatigue, and nutrient deficiencies when users do not maintain adequate protein and vitamin intake. With roughly one in eight Americans now using these drugs, clinicians stress the importance of balanced nutrition, resistance training, and regular monitoring to preserve muscle mass while losing weight.