Diabetes drugs such as ozempic associated with a higher risk of vision loss

Diabetes is the main cause of vision loss in people aged 18 to 64, according to American Diabetes Association – and the best way to prevent this is to control blood sugar.

Glucagon type peptide-1 receptors agonists (GLP-1), such as Ozempic and Mounjaro, have become popular drugs to control diabetes and deal with obesity-but new Canadian research suggests that they can also lead to a paradoxical side effect in the form of eye problems.

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A retrospective study conducted from January 2020 to November 2023 included more than 139,000 diabetic patients, some of whom took GLP-1 for at least six months and some who did not take medication over a period of three years.

The average age of participants was 66 years old and around 47% were women.

Diabetes is the main cause of vision loss in people aged 18 to 64, according to American Diabetes Association. (istock)

The researchers found that participants taking weight loss medication had twice as much risk of developing macular degeneration (NAMD) linked to neovascular age compared to people who do not take them.

“There have been increasing relationships of undesirable events (eye) with GLP-1 receptor agonists, but no clear consensus concerning their impact on the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD),” said Dr. Rajeev Muni, an ophthalmologist and vice-president of clinical research at Fox News.

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“In particular, we observed a dose -answer relationship – the more the patients were exposed to these drugs, the greater their risk,” added the author Reut Shor, researcher of the Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences at the University of Toronto.

The results were published in the journal Jama Ophthalmology.

What is age-related macular degeneration?

Age -related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of vision loss in the 50th and over in the development world, according to the American Society of Retinat Specialists.

In the United States, around 20 million adults have the condition.

Glucagon type peptide-1 receptors (GLP-1) were linked to a higher risk of eye disease. (istock)

It mainly affects the central vision of people, which means that they have a difficult period to see before them, but their peripheral vision is intact, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

There are two types of dmla – dry and humid.

The dry DMLA, the most common type, occurs when small yellow protein deposits develop under the macula, but the symptoms may not occur in the early stages, experts said.

“The more patients were exposed to these drugs, the greater their risk.”

In about two out of 10 cases, the dry DMLA turns into damp DMLA – also known as the neovascular macular degeneration linked to age (NAMD).

With this more advanced type of disease, abnormal blood vessels are formed under the retina and begin to flee, causing damage to the central part of the retina, known as Macula, according to Webmd.

The researchers found that the participants taking GLP-1 had twice as much risk of developing macular degeneration (NAMD) linked to the neovascular age compared to people who do not take them. (istock)

“When this happens, the symptoms include central vision loss, distortions in vision and missing empty areas in the central vision,” Fox News Digital Nishika Reddy, MD, Ophthalmology professor at Moran Eye at Midvalley Health Center, told Fox News. (She was not part of the study.)

NAMD’s risk factors include chronic heart failure, chronic kidney disease and diabetes – which often overlap with those who take GLP -1, have confirmed experts.

Limitations and recommendations

The study authors warned that their results should be taken in the context of the overall risk of eye diseases in the elderly.

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The incidence of the NAMD in the general population is approximately one in 1000, and it doubled at two out of 1,000 for the group taking the GLP-1 in the study.

However, the overall absolute risk is still low, according to the researchers.

The main limitation of the study is that it was observational in nature, which means that researchers have not been able to confirm that GLP-1 drugs cause macular degeneration linked to neovascular age.

The incidence of the NAMD in the general population is approximately one in 1000, and it doubled at two out of 1,000 for the group taking the GLP-1 in the study. (istock)

The study was also able to draw conclusions on younger populations, recognized the researchers.

“In addition, our results only apply to diabetic patients aged 66 or over, and cannot be directly generalized to non-diabetic individuals using GLP-1 receptor agonists for weight loss,” Shor to Fox News Digital.

“Although the risk of developing macular degeneration while on a GLP-1 medication is low, patients should be aware of the possible side effects.”

GLP -1 receptors are present in the retina regardless of age or diabetes status – therefore theoretically, the risk could apply to younger populations.

Additional research is necessary to better understand why diabetics on GLP-1 has an increase in eye diseases, said Shor.

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“Although the risk of developing macular degeneration while on a GLP-1 drug is low, patients should be aware of the possible side effects linked to these types of drugs,” said Reddy.

If someone notices a blurred or distorted vision, straight lines appearing wavy or new dead angles, he should consult a doctor, according to Muni.

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Early detection of eye diseases is crucial, according to experts, as rapid treatment can reduce the risk of vision loss.

The study authors said they hoped that their results will allow patients to monitor early symptoms.