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Published on: May 30, 2025

Anti-obesity medications impacting the eye: An emerging concern - a narrative review

Srishti Khullar1, Arvind Kumar Morya2, Sarita Aggarwal3

  • 1Department of Ophthalmology, Military Hospital, Agra 282001, Uttar Pradesh, India.

World Journal of Methodology
|August 21, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Obesity pharmacotherapy may cause vision problems. This review details anti-obesity drugs, their ocular risks, and the importance of monitoring eye health in patients.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Endocrinology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Global obesity epidemic necessitates effective interventions.
  • Current obesity treatments have limitations in efficacy and suitability.
  • Pharmacotherapy is a growing option for managing obesity and related conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review approved anti-obesity medications.
  • To analyze potential ocular adverse effects of these medications.
  • To explore the mechanisms underlying these visual complications.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive literature search on anti-obesity drugs and ocular effects.
  • Analysis of historical evolution and classification of these agents.
  • Evaluation of the spectrum of reported ocular complications.

Main Results:

  • Certain anti-obesity medications are associated with ocular issues.
  • Examples include non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy and diabetic retinopathy progression.
  • Mechanisms linking pharmacotherapy to ocular effects are discussed.

Conclusions:

  • Vigilant ocular health assessment is crucial for patients on anti-obesity medications.
  • Risk-benefit evaluation of pharmacotherapy is essential.
  • Further research into drug-induced ocular toxicity is warranted.
Keywords:
Anti-obesity drugsDiabetic retinopathyGlaucomaOcular side effectsOptic neuropathy

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