A recent study published in JAMA Ophthalmology has found that diabetes patients who use GLP-1 therapies are twice as likely to develop neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) compared to those who don’t take the medications. The condition, which causes vision loss due to decreased blood supply to the optic nerve, affects millions of people worldwide.
The study, conducted by University of Toronto researchers and based on health data from 139,002 diabetes patients in Canada, found that 0.2% of those using GLP-1s were diagnosed with nAMD over a three-year follow-up period. The risk was even higher for patients who used the medication for longer periods.
The study’s findings expand on previous concerns about the potential ocular safety of systemic GLP-1 use in diabetes patients. Researchers noted that other risk factors for nAMD include advanced age and a history of cerebrovascular accident.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has previously taken notice of these risks, recommending that product information for Novo’s semaglutide be updated to include NAION as a “very rare” side effect. The agency will now send its recommendation to the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) before making a legally binding decision.
Source: https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/diabetes-patients-who-use-glp-1s-may-have-higher-risk-serious-eye-disease-study