Vision probs on Reta?

FreshLog

FreshLog

Active member
Hi everyone,

I started Reta with a 1mg dose on Tuesday and my eyes are kinda dry. I googled it and found some studies suggesting it might cause eye issues. I'm not a diabetic, but it's common in my dad's family. Also, I have really bad eyesight, so my chances of retinal detachment are higher (my dad actually had one) because of my myopia. Should I be worried about this?
 
The eye issue that concerns me most is NAION. I haven't looked into EVERYTHING related to eyes on GLP-1s, but NAION was the scariest thing I saw.

I've had a detached retina, and so did my dad... it wasn't a huge deal (they fixed it with a scleral buckle).
 
I'd guess it's a low-to-moderate risk for serious eye issues in your particular situation. The dry eye is probably just dehydration. Still, don't ignore it. Since you have high myopia and a family history, your risk for retinal problems is already higher. I'd recommend getting a dilated eye exam ASAP (ideally by a retina specialist) to get a baseline on your retina, and tell them about the dry eye and Reta use. They can check for lattice degeneration and other issues related to myopia. Drink lots of water and monitor for other symptoms. If the dry eye gets better quickly, that's a good sign.
 
Actually, I had a comprehensive eye exam about a month ago, and everything looked fine. She just said I'm at a higher risk of potential detachment because of my severe myopia.
 
My guess is the dry eye or blurry vision is probably from dehydration (since GI issues can reduce your fluid intake) or temporary lens changes from metabolic shifts, not a problem with your retina. I'm betting it'll clear up once you hydrate. Just a guess, though. Maybe someone else will chime in. Also, try searching the internet for things like "dry eye," "vision changes," "myopia," "retinal," or "detachment" to see if you can find others with high myopia or early dryness sharing their experiences (often hydration/artificial tears). Maybe there are other forums or subreddits where people discuss this too? Good luck and keep us posted!
 
I agree, most of the time, dry eyes come from dehydration. Try getting some electrolytes and using lubricating eye drops to see if it improves. And of course, see your eye doctor again if you're really concerned.
 
Were you using a GLP-1 before starting Reta? Just curious, I don't really have any other thoughts.

I guess I can add that when I first started Sema, my vision felt a little wobbly sometimes. It didn't last long and seems to be a common side effect.
 
Oh man, this reminds me of a Reddit thread I saw. This woman went to her optometrist because she thought Ozempic was messing with her vision. Turns out, the optometrist was a total jerk! He basically told her she looked better now that she'd lost weight and implied she was fat before. Can you believe that? She thought it was his dementia talking. Some people in the thread suggested it could be blood sugar related, others said to find a new optometrist ASAP!
 
I ran across some concerning info related to compounded medications recently. It was about finasteride, not GLP-1s, but still made me think about potential risks. The FDA has received reports of adverse events associated with compounded topical finasteride. Apparently, even topical application can lead to absorption into the bloodstream and cause side effects similar to those of the oral version, like ED and anxiety.
 
I agree with Drew_19, dehydration is a big one. But also, FreshLog, since you just started Reta, maybe your body is just adjusting. Like SemaGeek mentioned, she had some vision weirdness when she first started Sema. Give it a little time, keep hydrating, and definitely call your eye doc if it gets worse.
 
the dry eyes in the first week on Reta can be a hydration and histamine response rather than a vascular effect - the first dose period often comes with systemic effects that include mucous membrane dryness. the A1C-drop vision issue is specific to diabetics whose retinal microvasculature adapted to high glucose levels; for non-diabetics that mechanism doesn't apply in the same way
 
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