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- Doctor of Optometry Urging for MRI Leads to Brain Tumor Diagnosis
- From Blurry Beginnings to a Clearer Vision: Wildlin Pierrevil’s Story
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- Larry Lipman
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- Julie from NYC
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- Janice Cook
- Dr Jones
- Living with Sjögren’s
- Fighting to vision after COVID-19
- Almost losing the eyes behind the vision
- Pro Surfer Caroline Marks-All Eyes on the Future
What Jernine Wishes She Knew About GLP-1s and Eye Health
Flight attendant and online content creator Jernine M. Trott took a GLP-1 medication for more than two years when she woke up one day with severe redness in one eye. No stranger to eye issues as a chronic sufferer of dry eye, Jernine scheduled an appointment with her optometrist right away.
While evaluating the redness in her eye, Jernine's optometrist also identified an unrelated condition during her comprehensive eye exam: non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), a rare but serious condition that affects the optic nerve. In some people, NAION can cause sudden, painless vision loss. Fortunately, Jernine's symptoms were not permanent, and her doctor developed an individualized care plan to monitor and manage her condition going forward.
Like many Americans, she had no idea that GLP-1 medications could impact her eye health. While her optometrist explained that her NAION could not be directly linked to her GLP-1 use, AOA research has found that NAION may occur slightly more often in people taking these medications. Research has also identified potential associations with worsening diabetic retinopathy, exacerbation of age-related macular degeneration, and other optic nerve complications.
GLP-1s have transformed Jernine’s life, and she dedicates her channels to destigmatizing the treatment and showcasing its real ups and downs. Taking a GLP-1 has not only helped her manage her Type 2 diabetes and Sjögren’s Syndrome, but it has helped her gain confidence and create a sustainable wellness routine.
The last thing she wants to do is create unnecessary fear around the treatment, which is why she’s sharing her story in partnership with the AOA. Her goal is to raise awareness about the importance of in-person, comprehensive eye exams when taking a GLP-1 medication.
“I already had dry eye, but because I hadn’t been taking care of my eyes like I needed to, this is what happened,” Jernine said. “Now, my optometrist is helping me keep an eye on everything. Our eyes are so important – we’ve got to protect them!”
The AOA recommends getting a baseline comprehensive eye exam within 12 months before starting treatment or within one month of beginning a GLP-1 medication to detect changes early and support long-term eye and overall health.
Jernine is also helping others recognize the warning signs, including sudden vision loss in one eye, blurry vision, darker or missing areas in sight, or changes in color perception. If any of these symptoms occur, the AOA advises contacting a doctor of optometry immediately.
Jernine hopes to empower others with information, encourage proactive care, and remind people that comprehensive eye exams are an important part of protecting full-body health.
Visit aoa.org/GLP1 to learn more about GLP-1 medications and eye health and find an AOA doctor of optometry near you.
A Mother’s Concern Led to a Life-Saving Diagnosis
When Mineka Holmes noticed something unusual in her infant daughter’s eye, she trusted her instincts. An appointment with a doctor of optometry helped uncover a rare cancer and set lifesaving care in motion.
Doctor of Optometry Urging for MRI Leads to Brain Tumor Diagnosis
After experiencing a persistent ‘semi-dead spot’ in his vision, Tom Pierce headed to an eye exam for the first time ever. In his 30s, he assumed it was simply a normal part of aging.
From Blurry Beginnings to a Clearer Vision: Wildlin Pierrevil’s Story
For Wildlin, a New York–based creator, artist and storyteller, creativity is about seeing the world differently. From composing music to crafting digital art, his vision fuels everything he does. But it wasn’t until fifth grade that Wildlin realized he wasn’t seeing the world as clearly as he thought. Now, in partnership with the American Optometric Association, he’s encouraging others to take care of the one pair of eyes they get.