GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and Sight-Threatening Ophthalmic Complications in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes

Is the use of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) associated with an increased risk of sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy (DR) or nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION)?This cohort study of 185 066 individuals prescribed treatment with GLP-1 RAs revealed an association with slightly higher risk of developing incident DR but a similar incidence of NAION and fewer serious DR-associated complications, including new-onset blindness.These findings suggest that all patients with T2D treated with GLP-1 RAs, regardless of preexisting DR, should receive regular screening and monitoring for potential complications of T2D.

Corresponding Author: Sarju Ganatra, MD, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Lahey Hospital sarju.ganatra@lahey.org).

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