Key Takeaways
- GLP-1 receptor agonist use is consistently associated with a lower incidence of glaucoma across diverse studies.
- Evidence in diabetic retinopathy is mixed, showing possible long-term benefit alongside early transient worsening.
- Findings in age-related macular degeneration differ by subtype, with contrasting signals for non-exudative versus neovascular disease.
Existing preclinical and clinical evidence links GLP-1 receptor agonist use with differing effects across major eye diseases, showing a generally consistent association with reduced glaucoma incidence, mixed and nuanced findings in diabetic retinopathy, and divergent signals in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) depending on disease subtype.
Researchers conducted a comprehensive literature search of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science from database inception through August 2025. The search included preclinical studies, large retrospective cohort analyses, and post-hoc evaluations of major clinical trials that examined GLP-1RA use in ocular disease contexts.
Across heterogeneous study designs and populations, GLP-receptor agonist use was generally associated with a lower incidence of glaucoma. Evidence related to diabetic retinopathy was more complex, with findings suggesting possible long-term neurovascular protection alongside reports of transient early worsening. In AMD, results were divided, with data indicating a potential protective association for non-exudative disease and a possible increased risk for neovascular forms.
Reference
Luo Y, Xia Y, Gong X, et al. GLP-1 receptor agonists in eye disease: a comprehensive review of current research and future potential. BMC Ophthalmol. 2026;26(1):12. doi: 10.1186/s12886-025-04559-x. PMID: 41501669; PMCID: PMC12781364.
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