BATON ROUGE — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is requiring drugmakers to add a new warning to the labels of popular GLP-1 medications, alerting patients and doctors to a potential increased risk of a rare eye condition that can cause permanent vision loss.

The condition, known as non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), occurs when blood flow to the optic nerve is restricted or blocked.

Federal health regulators issued the decision following reports of a small number of cases among patients using currently marketed GLP-1 receptor agonists, a class widely prescribed for weight management and type 2 diabetes. In an analysis evaluating more than 125 clinical trials, the FDA identified higher rates of the condition among patients receiving GLP-1 drugs compared to those who were not.

NAION typically causes sudden, painless vision loss in one eye, which individuals often first notice upon waking. It can also trigger blurred, hazy, or distorted vision.

Pinpointing the exact link remains complex. Key risk factors for NAION include diabetes, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea—health conditions that closely overlap with the underlying reasons many patients are prescribed GLP-1 medications in the first place.

Health officials advise anyone taking a GLP-1 drug who experiences sudden changes in their vision to contact a doctor immediately. Patients should also consult their healthcare provider before stopping or adjusting any prescribed medications.