Diabetes Drugs May Increase Risk ⁢of Eye Condition

‌ updated ‌June 5,2025

People with ​diabetes who use glucagon-like ‍peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs),such as semaglutide,may face a greater risk of developing neovascular age-related macular degeneration,according to⁢ a study in⁢ Canada. The ​research ‌suggests the risk ‌more⁢ than doubles‌ compared to⁢ those not using the medications, and that longer exposure ⁢to the drugs is associated⁢ with increased⁢ risk.

The population-based study, which appeared⁣ in‍ JAMA ophthalmology, analyzed administrative​ data from 139,002 patients aged⁣ 66 and older⁢ in Ontario from January 2020 to november 2023. Researchers matched ⁣46,334 patients ⁢who had received a GLP-1 agent for​ at least six months with patients who had ​not, based on factors like age, gender, diabetes duration, and othre health conditions. The study tracked new diagnoses of neovascular age-related macular degeneration over three years.

The⁣ study found a higher incidence of the eye condition in patients exposed to GLP-1 RAs (0.2%) compared to those ‍unexposed ⁢(0.1%). Statistical models estimated a⁢ higher risk‍ for neovascular age-related⁢ macular degeneration among patients ⁣exposed ‌to GLP-1 medication, ‍with adjusted hazard ratios indicating a more than twofold ⁣increase in risk. A sensitivity analysis⁤ further suggested that longer exposure to ​a GLP-1 ⁣RA correlated with increased ‌risk.

Rajeev H. Muni,MD,with St. Michael’s hospital in Toronto, Ontario, was the ‌corresponding author of the​ study.

“GLP-1 RAs have had a tremendous role in the care of patients ‍with diabetes and ​now those needing additional help with weight management. However, the adage that ‘there is no such thing as a free ‍lunch’ ‌remains true,” wrote⁣ Brian L. ‍VanderBeek,MD,MPH,with ⁢the Scheie Eye‍ Institute at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman school ‍of Medicine,Philadelphia,in an ​editorial accompanying the ‌study. “While certainly not outweighing the good these medications offer, prescribing physicians need to keep in mind the real and serious ocular adverse events that⁣ may occur.”

The study’s limitations include a lack⁣ of stratification by‍ GLP-1 RA type,‍ dose, ​or administration route. Information on factors like smoking and sun exposure​ was also limited. The authors call for further ⁣research to confirm a cause-and-effect relationship.

Funding for the research came from the Silver Target ​Foundation, the PSI‌ Foundation, and Fighting Blindness Canada. Muni reported consulting for Alcon, Apellis, AbbVie, Bayer, Bausch Health, and Roche, which also provide financial support to his institution.

What’s next

Further⁢ studies are ​needed to determine if a direct causal link exists ‍between⁢ GLP-1 receptor agonists and the advancement of neovascular age-related ⁣macular degeneration, and to ⁢explore potential preventative measures.