A large-scale cohort study has found that GLP-1s, including Ozempic and Wegovy, may be associated with a modestly increased risk of developing diabetic retinopathy.
The research, published Aug. 11 in JAMA Network Open, analyzed data from over 185,000 individuals with Type 2 diabetes and found that GLP-1 use was linked to a slightly elevated risk of developing diabetic retinopathy, though there was no statistically significant increase in nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy.
The findings follow earlier research that raised concerns about the potential link between semaglutide and nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, a condition causing sudden, painless vision loss in one eye.
In response, the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the North American Neuro-Opthalmology Society acknowledged awareness of semaglutide-related vision changes, emphasized continued monitoring and advised patients not to discontinue medication unless they experience sudden vision loss.
