GLP-1 & Macular Degeneration Risk: New Study
- 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...
- 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.
- 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%).
New research reveals a concerning link between GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) and an increased risk of neovascular age-related macular degeneration, the primary_keyword. This Canadian study demonstrates that individuals using these diabetes medications may face a more than doubled risk compared to those not taking them. The secondary_keyword of longer exposure appears to further elevate the chances of developing this eye condition. News Directory 3 brings you this critical update, analyzing data from over 139,000 patients to underscore the potential ocular adverse events associated wiht GLP-1 RAs. While these drugs play a vital role in diabetes and weight management, this study underscores the need for awareness. Discover what’s next in the ongoing research to understand the causal relationship thoroughly, and explore preventative measures.
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.