Lawsuits Mount Over Ozempic Link to Permanent Vision Loss

The legal action, filed June 24 in the case Morris v. Novo Nordisk Inc., et al. (Docket No: 2:26-cv-04358), follows a series of claims brought by the national law firm Parker Waichman LLP. Plaintiffs allege that the manufacturer failed to provide adequate warnings regarding the risk of optic nerve damage associated with semaglutide, the active ingredient in both Ozempic and Wegovy. While these drugs were initially approved for Type 2 diabetes, their widespread adoption for weight management has brought the potential for severe side effects into sharper focus.

Scientific scrutiny of the drug has intensified following a 2025 study in JAMA Ophthalmology, which identified optic nerve disorders in patients using GLP-1 receptor agonists. Research from Harvard’s Mass Eye and Ear Institute suggests the risk is particularly pronounced for weight-loss users, who face a sevenfold higher likelihood of developing NAION compared to non-users. Diabetic users, according to the same research, face a fourfold increase in risk. Despite these findings, Jason S. Goldstein, senior litigation counsel at Parker Waichman, asserts that the manufacturer continues to downplay the dangers, prompting the firm to pursue litigation to secure compensation for victims' medical expenses and lost wages.