IMPORTANCE: Nearly 2% of the US population received a prescription for semaglutide in 2023. There has been a recent concern that this drug and other similar medications may be associated with ophthalmic complications.
OBJECTIVE: To report ophthalmic complications associated with the use of semaglutide or tirzepatide.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This was a retrospective case series. All patients were initially seen in a community setting. Patients experiencing an ophthalmic complication in association with the use of semaglutide or tirzepatide were included in this analysis.
EXPOSURES: Patients described were using either semaglutide or tirzepatide.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Visual acuity and visual field defects.
RESULTS: A total of 9 patients (mean [SD] age, 57.4 [11.6] years; age range, 37-77 years; 5 female [56%]; 4 male [44%]) were included in this study. Seven patients with nonarteritic ischemic anterior optic neuropathy, 1 patient with bilateral papillitis, and 1 patient with paracentral acute middle maculopathy were reported. Atypical features included sequential ischemic optic neuropathy, bilateral disc swelling at presentation, and progressive vision loss.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this case series study, it was not possible to determine if there is a causal link between these drugs and the ophthalmic complications reported. In some cases, it is hypothesized that rapid correction of hyperglycemia induced by these drugs, rather than a toxic effect of the drugs, could be associated with the ophthalmic complications reported.
