IMPACT OF GLP-1 RECEPTOR AGONISTS FOR TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS ON THE DEVELOPMENT AND PROGRESSION OF AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION

Jul 25, 2025Retina (Philadelphia, Pa.)

How Diabetes Drugs That Activate GLP-1 Receptors May Affect the Onset and Progression of Age-Related Macular Degeneration

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Abstract

Among 600,816 matched patients, GLP-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) therapy is associated with a 15% relative risk reduction in the incidence of nonexudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

GLP-1RA users experienced a 20% relative risk reduction in the incidence of exudative AMD.
In a cohort of 4,450 patients with early or intermediate AMD, GLP-1RA use was associated with a 29% relative risk reduction in progression to advanced nonexudative AMD.
GLP-1RA therapy was linked to a 27% relative risk reduction in progression to exudative AMD.
Findings suggest that GLP-1RAs may promote neuronal survival and reduce inflammation, potentially contributing to their beneficial effects on AMD.

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PURPOSE: To evaluate whether GLP-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) therapy reduces the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients.

METHODS: A retrospective cohort study using a global health research network matched T2DM patients on GLP-1RA versus non-GLP-1RA therapy. AMD incidence was determined over the first 1 to 10 years of treatment. Patients with baseline early or intermediate nonexudative AMD were also matched and assessed for progression to advanced AMD. Measures of association analysis was used to calculate risk, risk difference, and risk ratio.

RESULTS: Among 600,816 matched patients without a history of AMD, GLP-1RA users had a 15% relative risk reduction in incidence of nonexudative AMD (RR, 0.851; 95% CI, 0.801-0.905; P < 0.0001) versus those who received alternative therapy. These patients also had a 20% relative risk reduction in incidence of exudative AMD (RR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.808-0.989; P < 0.0001). To assess progression, 4,450 patients with early or intermediate AMD were matched between the cohorts. GLP-1RA use was associated with 29% relative risk reduction in progression to advanced nonexudative AMD (RR, 0.715; 95% CI, 0.529-0.967; P = 0.028) and a 27% relative risk reduction in progression to exudative AMD (RR, 0.729; 95% CI, 0.601-0.883; P = 0.001).

CONCLUSION: GLP-1RA use may reduce both the risk and progression of AMD and progression of early and intermediate AMD to advanced AMD in adults with T2DM. GLP-1RAs have been shown to promote neuronal survival and reduce inflammation, which may provide a pathophysiological explanation of the potential beneficial role of GLP-1RAs.

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IMPACT OF GLP-1 RECEPTOR AGONISTS FOR TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS ON THE DEVELOPMENT AND PROGRESSION OF AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION

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