11 June 2025
Researchers from the University of Toronto in Canada have explored the relationship between the use of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) among diabetes patients and the development of wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Writing in JAMA Ophthalmology, the authors highlighted that GLP-1 RAs are used extensively in the treatment of obesity and diabetes.
However, they added that little is known about the long-term ocular effects of prolonged systemic exposure to this medication.
The researchers examined data relating to 139,002 patients with diabetes aged 66 or older. Within the study group, 46,334 patients had taken GLP-1 RAs for six months or longer while 92,668 patients had not taken the medication.
The researchers found that those diabetes patients who were exposed to GLP-1 RAs had a 2.2 times higher risk of developing wet AMD than among patients who had not received the drug.
“Further research is needed to elucidate the exact pathophysiological mechanisms involved and to understand the trade-offs between the benefits and risks of GLP-1 RAs,” the researchers highlighted.
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