Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 13, 2025

Author Spotlight: Understanding Retinal Vessel Resilience and Disease Progression
Published on: January 12, 2024
IMPACT OF GLP-1 RECEPTOR AGONISTS FOR TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS ON THE DEVELOPMENT AND PROGRESSION OF AGE-RELATED
Samantha A McLaughlin1, Natalia Davila1,2, Chloe Shields1
1Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida; and.
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.
More Related Videos
10:24Regenerative Therapy by Suprachoroidal Cell Autograft in Dry Age-related Macular Degeneration: Preliminary In Vivo Report
Published on: February 12, 2018
07:04Electroporation-Based Genetic Modification of Primary Human Pigment Epithelial Cells Using the Sleeping Beauty Transposon System
Published on: February 4, 2021
Related Concept Videos
Glucagon-like Receptor Agonists
GLP-1, when administered in high doses intravenously, triggers insulin secretion, inhibits glucagon release, slows gastric emptying, reduces food intake, and restores normal insulin secretion. However, its rapid inactivation by...
Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Biguanides and Glitazones
Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Inhibitors
Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: α-Glucosidase Inhibitors
Acarbose and miglitol are...
Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational
Oral Hypoglycemic Agents: Glinides