Maryland man claims Ozempic caused total blindness

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 16 Oct, 07:39 · Archive

A Maryland man claims the diabetes drug Ozempic caused him to go blind from an eye condition.

Todd Engel, 63, from Maryland, claims that Ozempic caused him to become legally blind. He was prescribed the GLP-1 medication in 2023 to help manage his type 2 diabetes, though it is also commonly prescribed off-label for weight loss. Approximately four months after starting the medication, Engel was diagnosed with nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), a condition in which reduced blood flow damages the optic nerve and can cause sudden and permanent vision loss.

Engel first noticed vision loss in his right eye on New Year's Eve 2024. He underwent testing at Johns Hopkins' Wilmer Eye Institute and was diagnosed with an 'eye stroke', another term for NAION. His blood work and blood pressure were in normal range. Engel continued taking Ozempic because neither he nor his doctors were aware of a possible association between the medication and NAION. About ten months after the first episode, he suffered sudden vision loss in his left eye.

Doctors told Engel there was no medication or surgical procedure that could restore his vision. Engel has filed a lawsuit against Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer, claiming the drug carried inadequate warnings about the risk of vision loss.

How it is being reported

• Maryland man claims he went blind after taking Ozempic, shares warning for other usersTodd Engel, 63, was first prescribed Ozempic in 2023 to help manage his diabetes.New York Post · 16 Oct, 07:18
• Man claims he went blind after taking Ozempic, shares warning for other usersTodd Engel claims Ozempic caused his total vision loss from NAION and has filed a lawsuit against Novo Nordisk over inadequate drug warnings.Fox News · 15 Oct, 12:00

In this story: Todd Engel · Novo Nordisk · Maryland · Johns Hopkins

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