Georgia woman part of lawsuit claiming link between GLP-1 weight loss drugs and blindness - WSB-TV

What the report says

WSB-TV reports that Diane Wirth, a former nurse practitioner from Hartwell, Georgia, is among plaintiffs in multidistrict litigation alleging a connection between GLP-1 weight-loss drugs and sudden vision loss. Wirth told the station she began taking Wegovy in February 2025 and, within weeks, woke up unable to see from her right eye. She said doctors later deemed her legally blind in that eye, leaving her with blurred vision, reduced depth perception, and the loss of her ability to drive and work.

According to WSB-TV, Wirth’s attorney, Jason Goldstein of Parker Waichman LLP, said more than 130 similar cases are before a judge in Philadelphia. The plaintiffs say they developed non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, or NAION, after taking GLP-1 medicines. NAION is described in the report as a painless, sudden “eye stroke” involving restricted blood flow, and the article says the condition is irreversible.

The lawsuit alleges drugmakers failed to warn patients about the risk after a 2024 JAMA Ophthalmology study reported a link between GLP-1 drugs and blindness. Goldstein told WSB-TV that semaglutide labels in Europe and the U.K. have been updated to mention the rare condition. Novo Nordisk, maker of Wegovy and Ozempic, said the FDA has not added NAION to U.S. labels and said its review of more than 96,000 trial participants found no increased risk. Lilly, maker of Mounjaro and Zepbound, said it monitors safety data and cited literature saying the evidence does not establish causation.

WSB-TV said the CDC advised that people taking GLP-1 drugs may consider baseline and follow-up eye exams along with regular medical care. The FDA had not responded to the station, and the litigation may take years to resolve.