The use of Ozempic and Mounjaro is on the rise, prompting a serious warning after reports of users experiencing blindness linked to GLP-1 medications.
Recent studies are now looking into how these diabetes medications may be associated with a heightened risk of age-related eye diseases.
Interestingly, a doctor explained to the Post why, despite these concerns, she doesn’t believe people should entirely avoid the injections.
According to a survey conducted last year, about 12% of the US population has taken GLP-1 medications at some point, with current users making up around 6%.
This research was published in Jama Eye Clinic and utilized health records from nearly 140,000 patients.
Findings indicated that those using GLP-1 drugs were more than twice as likely to develop neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) compared to non-users.
AMD gradually damages the retina’s macula, affecting central vision. Over time, individuals may find it increasingly challenging to see directly in front of them, although their peripheral vision remains largely intact.
This condition is one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness in older adults.
The study found that the risk rates were 0.2% for individuals on GLP-1 and 0.1% for those who weren’t.
Nearly 20 million adults in the US are affected by AMD, which is typically categorized into two types.
The slower progressing dry AMD accounts for around 80% of cases, often resulting from age-related fading of the macula due to yellow protein deposits called drusen.
Wet AMD, or neovascular AMD, is less common but far more aggressive, leading to swift and severe vision loss due to abnormal blood vessel growth beneath the retina. Treatment usually involves frequent injections to stabilize vision.
Dr. Talia Kaden pointed out that while there is a cause for concern, she believes the actual risk remains relatively low in practice.
“We’re discussing a small group of patients who may develop retinopathy compared to millions using these drugs,” Kaden noted.
“Even though ‘twice the risk’ sounds significant, looking at the actual data, I think it doesn’t carry the weight that would deter people from using these medications.”
This research adds to a growing body of literature outlining vision problems associated with GLP-1 medications.
Earlier reviews discovered at least nine patients who experienced vision loss after using semaglutide or tilzepatide.
Furthermore, recent findings suggest a potential connection between semaglutide and rare ocular issues, including sudden vision loss due to disrupted blood flow to the optic nerve.
However, it’s essential to note that none of these studies definitively establish a cause-and-effect relationship. Kaden highlighted that, while there may be slight increases in risk, it’s a small subset of patients compared to the wider population using these drugs.
Researchers propose that the lower blood glucose levels associated with GLP-1 might lead to abnormal blood vessel growth in the retina. Moreover, GLP-1 receptors in the retina could elevate certain molecules, potentially creating harmful vascular changes.
“It was striking to see such a clear signal in our study,” remarked Roth Scholl, a co-author from the University of Toronto.
“Though the absolute risk is still low, advanced AMD poses significant challenges to both vision and quality of life. Thus, a doubling of risk is significant, particularly for vulnerable groups like older individuals at heightened baseline risk.”
More studies are necessary to explore whether the increased risk of neovascular AMD arises from direct or indirect effects of these medications.
Experts, including Kaden, suggest that these findings should not cause panic or lead to discontinuation of the drugs. Instead, individuals should be aware of potential risks and vigilant about any changes in their vision.
Users of GLP-1 medications are encouraged to look out for symptoms like sudden blurriness or distortion in their vision. Kaden advised seeking consultation with a retinal expert if they notice straight lines appearing wavy, for instance.
