Winter 2025 Update
Dr. Akler at the Women in Ophthalmology meeting with her mentees during warmer times – Summer 2024
Dear colleagues, friends, patients and family,
I hope you have all been staying warm and safe this winter especially this week! This newsletter will be about Ozempic and ocular health
Semiglutide medications are used to control blood sugar in diabetics and are also used for weight loss. This class of medications includes Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus. They all work by releasing a hormone called GLP-1 that makes us feel full when eating and also tells the body to make more insulin thus lowering blood glucose.
A recent study suggested that there may be a connection between semiglutide use and a stroke in the eye (non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy) which can cause blindness. You may have heard about this as it made the national news. The important thing to know is that there is not enough data to suggest that patients on this medication should stop taking it for this reason. If you are on these medications and have no vision symptoms you should continue to take them under the care of your primary care doctor or the prescribing health care provider. All diabetics should be having annual eye health examinations with an ophthalmologist even if they have no visual symptoms.
We look forward to seeing you and your family at the office!
Warmly,
Dr. Michelle Akler
**Source AAO Eye Health for Patients and Families June 2024
Services we offer
- LASIK starting at $799/eye
- Cataract surgery with advanced technology implants
- Diabetic eye care
- Glaucoma and Macular Degeneration management
Call 313.563.3937 to Experience Excellence in Eye Care
Michelle Akler, MD
Akler Eye Center
Sterling Heights & Dearborn
Akler Eye Center is one of the top laser eye & LASIK surgery centers in Detroit, Michigan.
