Dry Eyes
Users on Reddit have reported experiences with dry eyes and related symptoms such as vision changes and severe dehydration while on GLP-1 medications. They have also recommended some remedies and preventative measures.
Experiences with Dry Eyes and Related Symptoms:
Several users report general worsening of eyesight or vision problems. One user on Liraglutide mentioned, "my eyesight got a lot worse while I was on it. "[2] Another on Ozempic for 6 months said, "my eyesite has gotten worse... Now since I've been on Ozempic I have to wear reading glasses on top of my contact lenses especially to read. "[3] A user on Zepbound reported, "I went on Zepbound for 2 months and my vision went to shit, where it was excellent... I have been off it for a year and started using glasses and. It seems like it’s still getting worse. "[4]
Dehydration and dry mouth are commonly reported side effects, which can contribute to dry eyes. One user experienced being "constantly incredibly thirsty and couldn’t seem to drink enough to stop the feeling of dry mouth. "[5] Another user noted that the GLP-1 medication "suppressed my thirst an extreme amount. As a result, I’ve been severely dehydrated over the past few weeks". [6] Others described "SEVERE dehydration" leading to mouth pain and feeling like their mouth was "on fire. "[7, 8] One user experienced "dry mouth even after drinking so much water. "[9]
Some users express concern about more severe vision issues like NAION (Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy). [10] One comment mentioned a patient on Wegovy who experienced irreversible vision loss in one eye due to NAION. [11]
It's also noted that vision changes can sometimes be linked to rapid improvements in glycemic control, potentially worsening pre-existing diabetic retinopathy. [1, 12, 13]
Remedies and Preventions Recommended:
Hydration: Staying well-hydrated is a common piece of advice. "Make sure you’re staying hydrated," one user advised. [1] Another mentioned that for dehydration-induced flares, they were advised by healthcare providers to "stay just hydrated," though they found the medication suppressed their thirst significantly. [6] One user with severe dehydration drinks 10-12 (32 oz) bottles of water a day and takes electrolytes. [7]
Consult Eye Specialists: Many users recommend seeing an ophthalmologist or optometrist, especially if experiencing vision changes, flashing lights, or if diabetic. [1, 3, 12, 14, 15] One user was advised by their eye doctor about the link between drugs like Ozempic/Wegovy and eye conditions causing vision loss. [16]
Monitoring for Pre-existing Conditions: Users with pre-existing conditions like diabetic retinopathy are advised to be cautious, as rapid weight loss or glycemic control can sometimes worsen these conditions. [1, 12, 13, 14] One user stated, "I wasn’t allowed to go on ozempic because it would likely worsen my retinopathy. "[14]
It is important to note that some users with pre-existing vision issues related to high blood sugar reported no vision problems or even improvement after starting GLP-1s, attributing prior issues to diabetes itself. [17] However, any new or worsening eye symptoms should be discussed with a healthcare professional.
Experiences with Dry Eyes and Related Symptoms:
- One user directly stated, "Ozempic/GLPs can dry out your eyes, which can exacerbate any eye or vision problems.
Remedies and Preventions Recommended:
- Artificial Tears: One user specifically recommended "using artificial tears" for eyes dried out by GLP-1s.
It is important to note that some users with pre-existing vision issues related to high blood sugar reported no vision problems or even improvement after starting GLP-1s, attributing prior issues to diabetes itself. [17] However, any new or worsening eye symptoms should be discussed with a healthcare professional.