Pharmaceutical Litigation

A New MDL Takes Aim at Ozempic and Wegovy: What Patients with Vision Loss Need to Know

Posted on by Napoli Shkolnik PLLC

By Christopher R. LoPalo, Partner, and Silvino Díaz, Junior Partner

Millions of Americans take Ozempic, Wegovy, or other GLP-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) medications to manage type 2 diabetes or lose weight. But a growing body of research suggests these drugs may carry a new serious risk of permanent vision loss.

In December 2025, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation established MDL No. 3163, signaling the significant volume of federal cases filed over this safety concern. Centralized in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the MDL consolidates lawsuits from patients who developed NAION after taking prescriptions like Ozempic or Wegovy.

What Is NAION?

Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) is a sudden loss of blood flow to the optic nerve and one of the leading causes of adult blindness. Patients typically wake up to find their vision has dramatically worsened overnight. The vision loss is often permanent, and there is no cure.

What Does the Science Say?

A 2024 study in JAMA Ophthalmology analyzing more than 16,800 patients found that those prescribed GLP-1 medication faced a significantly elevated risk of NAION compared to similar patients not taking the drug — with the effect even stronger among overweight and obese patients than those with diabetes. The risk was greatest within the first 12 months of starting a GLP-1 RA medication, pointing towards a drug-related association.

Which Drugs and Manufacturers Are Named?

This new MDL targets GLP-1 RA medications from two manufacturers:

  • Novo Nordisk (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus, and Saxenda)
  • Eli Lilly (Trulicity, Mounjaro, and Zepbound)

Plaintiffs allege both companies failed to warn patients and physicians about the risk of NAION. This is the second GLP-1 MDL before Judge Marston; the first, MDL No. 3094, involves gastrointestinal injuries from the same drugs.

Who May Have a Claim?

You may have a legal claim if you took Ozempic, Wegovy, Trulicity, or another GLP-1 RA medication and experienced vision loss or were diagnosed with NAION without being warned of the risk beforehand. These are among the most widely prescribed drugs in the country, with more than 1.7 percent of Americans receiving semaglutide prescriptions in 2023. Vision loss is life-altering, affecting your ability to work, drive, and care for yourself and your family.

Napoli Shkolnik Is Investigating These Claims

Napoli Shkolnik has extensive experience litigating complex pharmaceutical cases and is actively investigating claims on behalf of patients who developed NAION or other vision injuries after taking a GLP-1 RA medication. Contact us today for a free consultation.