Ozempic Vision Loss Lawsuit Highlights Devastating Consequences of NAION Diagnosis

Lawsuit claims that just after a year of receiving Ozempic injections, a man suffered vision loss in both eyes, which may be permanent.

A Massachusetts man has filed a product liability lawsuit, claiming that he suffered irreversible vision loss due to side effects from the popular diabetes and weight loss drug, Ozempic.

The complaint (PDF) was brought by Edward Gillen in the U.S. District Court of Eastern Pennsylvania on April 27, naming Novo Nordisk Inc. and Novo Nordisk A/S as defendants. Gillen indicates that his Ozempic use led to vision loss in both eyes.

Ozempic NAION Risks

Ozempic (semaglutide), and its weight loss version, Wegovy, which uses the same active ingredient, both belong to a class of medications known as GLP-1 receptor agonists. Originally designed for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes, the drugs skyrocketed to blockbuster status once their use was linked to significant weight loss and other metabolic improvements. Other members of the class include Mounjaro, Zepbound, Victoza, Trulicity, Rybelsus and Saxenda.

Over the last few months, a growing body of scientific evidence has linked GLP-1 drugs, including Ozempic and Wegovy, to an increased risk of non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). This condition damages the optic nerve and can lead to potentially permanent problems ranging from blurred vision to blindness.

As a result, Gillen’s claim joins a growing number of other Ozempic vision loss lawsuits, each indicating that the manufacturer failed to adequately test Ozempic side effects and warn patients of the potential risks of vision loss.

Ozempic Vision Loss Allegations

According to the lawsuit, Gillen began taking Ozempic injections in April 2024 and continued to use the drug until May 2025. The lawsuit indicates he developed NAION as a result of that use, which has led to vision loss in both eyes.

Gillen argues that his vision loss could have been avoided if Novo Nordisk had been transparent and truthful about Ozempic side effects and the risks of complications. Instead, he claims the manufacturer took advantage of the country’s concerns over obesity rates while hiding evidence of potential health problems.

“Defendants’ efforts to conceal (or minimize) the risks associated with taking their drugs, including the risk of developing NAION were intended to create the impression that these were ‘magic pills’ to help a person lose weight.”

– Edward Gillen v. Novo Nordisk Inc. et al

He notes that Novo Nordisk failed to warn consumers that many people stop taking Ozempic because of the potentially severe side effects, not just of NAION, but also the risks of stomach paralysis and bowel obstructions. These conditions have already been linked to the entire GLP-1 class of medications due to their mechanism of action, which causes delayed gastric emptying as a form of hunger control. 

Additionally, individuals frequently report gaining weight back after they stop using the medication, suggesting patients have to keep injecting themselves with Ozempic to maintain the lower weight.

Gillen’s lawsuit indicates these practices have led to a GLP-1 market that is forecast to top $100 billion in sales by 2030. By then, an estimated 9% of the population is expected to be taking Ozempic or another GLP-1 medication.

The complaint raises allegations of negligent undertaking, negligence, strict liability design defect, negligent design, strict product liability misrepresentation/marketing, negligent misrepresentation/marketing, fraudulent/intentional misrepresentation, fraudulent concealment by omission, breach of warranty, and failure to warn.

It seeks both compensatory and punitive damages for Gillen’s vision loss, which may be permanent.

Ozempic Vision Loss Lawsuits

Gillen’s complaint will be consolidated with a growing number of similar Ozempic vision loss lawsuits in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania before U.S. District Judge Karen Marston, as part of a multidistrict litigation (MDL).

Judge Marston is directing the litigation through coordinated discovery and pretrial proceedings, and is expected to schedule a series of bellwether trials to help the parties determine how juries may respond to evidence and testimony likely to be repeated throughout the litigation.

However, before those early test trials can be held, Judge Marston must navigate the cases through a number of pretrial motions that will educate the court on the scientific underpinnings of the litigation. To that end, she has scheduled a “Science Day” for June 2, involving non-adversarial presentations from both sides explaining key issues at play in all or most Ozempic vision loss lawsuits.

GLP-1 Stomach Paralysis Lawsuits

Before the litigation over Ozempic NAION side effects began to emerge, GLP-1 medications were already linked to a risk of gastrointestinal side effects, including gastroparesis (stomach paralysis), intestinal obstructions and other complications.

Also consolidated before Judge Marston, these GLP-1 stomach paralysis lawsuits are being handled on a parallel, but separate MDL track. GLP-1 stomach paralysis lawsuits are expected to be ready for bellwether trials long before the NAION claims, with the process likely serving as a guide for the vision loss bellwether trials.

However, if the bellwether trials and pretrial proceedings end without a GLP-1 lawsuit settlement or other resolution, Judge Marston is likely to begin remanding the claims back to their originating districts for individual trial dates.

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