(Gray News) — Hundreds of lawsuits have been filed against major GLP-1 makers Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk with patients accusing the popular weight-loss drugs of causing permanent eye damage and vision loss.

According to USA Today, multiple lawsuits filed within the last year focus on a condition called non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, or NAION, which causes rapid-onset vision changes and loss that can result in blindness.

The lawsuits said the drugmakers should have known about and informed patients of the potential for this side effect, which is not included on the warning labels for the medications in the United States. It is, however, included on some updated labels in other countries.

Thousands of lawsuits have been filed against the drugmakers, alleging serious complications including NAION and gastrointestinal injury. Hundreds specifically allege damage from NAION.

The lawsuits allege the damage occurred as a result of using semaglutide, tirzepatide and dulaglutide, including those sold under the brand names Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound, Mounjaro and Trulicity.

In one case, a 63-year-old man was prescribed Ozempic to manage his diabetes in 2023 and woke up four months later with loss of vision in one eye. Without knowing the cause of his vision loss, he continued to take the medication and lost sight in his other eye in 2024. He is now legally blind, according to USA Today.

NAION results in sudden vision loss in one or both eyes. It is caused by a lack of blood flow to the optic nerve, according to the Cleveland Clinic. There is no treatment.

Both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have denied any significant relationship between their medications and vision loss and have defended the safety of the drugs.

In statements to NBC, Novo Nordisk said it is “vigorously” fighting the lawsuits, while Eli Lilly said it maintains “patient safety” is its “top priority.”

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