People with diabetes who use GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide are more likely to develop neovascular age-related macular degeneration, a new study finds.
People who use popular diabetes drugs called GLP-1 receptor agonists may be at increased risk for a serious eye disease, a new study suggests.
Researchers have found a link between prolonged use of GLP-1 medications and neovascular age-related macular degeneration or wet AMD.
Wet AMD occurs when blood vessels leak fluid into part of the retina called the macula – causing blurred or reduced central vision.
The researchers analyzed health data from 139,000 patients with diabetes who were 66 years of age or older. More than 46,000 of them were taking a GLP-1 receptor agonist – most often semaglutide. The others had no exposure to the drugs.
After three years of monitoring, the results showed patients in the GLP-1 group were twice as likely to be diagnosed with wet AMD.
The researchers say additional studies are needed to confirm these findings and to better understand the benefits and risks of these drugs.
The author of an accompanying editorial says, while GLP-1s have been a tremendous help for people with diabetes and obesity, ”Prescribing physicians need to keep in mind the real and serious ocular adverse events that may occur.”
He says more work is needed to determine if people using GLP-1 receptor agonists for weight management or other indications face a similar risk.
Source: JAMA Ophthamology
Author Affiliations: University of Toronto, Toronto Western Hospital, Maccabi Healthcare Services, St Michael’s Hospital, Unity Health Toronto
Editorial Author Affiliations: Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine
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