Semaglutide, type 2 diabetes, and the risk of nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy

Abstract In the last months, conflicting evidence on a possible association between the use of semaglutide and incident nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) has emerged. A recently published study, which evaluated all patients with type 2 diabetes in Denmark, has shown with robust...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Fernando K. Malerbi, Marcello C. Bertoluci
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-01-01
Series:International Journal of Retina and Vitreous
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s40942-024-00622-9
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Summary:Abstract In the last months, conflicting evidence on a possible association between the use of semaglutide and incident nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) has emerged. A recently published study, which evaluated all patients with type 2 diabetes in Denmark, has shown with robustness that once-weekly semaglutide doubles the five-year risk of NAION. In this comment, the new evidence is discussed, along with practical implications for type 2 diabetes patients. The possibility of ophthalmological evaluation regarding optic disc morphology is suggested, before initiation of semaglutide treatment or, for those patients already under treatment, during a follow-up ophthalmological visit. If a disc-at-risk pattern is detected, such information could be brought to the attention of the attending clinician involved with diabetes control and discussed with patients for a shared decision-making approach. A new risk-benefit discussion weighing the undoubted benefits of semaglutide in reducing cardiovascular mortality and cardiovascular events, heart failure hospitalization, and renal protection must be started and carefully balanced against a rare but devastating condition such as NAION.
ISSN:2056-9920