Overview

• A June study in JAMA Ophthalmology found that after one year more than twice as many diabetic patients on GLP-1 receptor agonists developed neovascular age-related macular degeneration compared with matched non-users.
• The absolute incidence of neovascular AMD remained low at 0.2% for GLP-1 RA recipients versus 0.1% for controls, but the relative risk increase was statistically significant.
• Older patients and those with a prior stroke faced even higher rates of macular degeneration when treated with GLP-1 RAs.
• Researchers point to GLP-1 receptors in ocular tissues as a possible influence on retinal microvascular physiology, though the exact mechanism driving the increased risk is still undetermined.
• Novo Nordisk says no causal link has been established and the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency is reviewing emerging evidence to determine any necessary regulatory actions.