GLP-1 drugs connected to rare vision issue, researchers say

(NewsNation) — A serious but rare eye condition is one of the newest possible risks for GLP-1 drug users, according to new research.

The study, conducted at Rutgers University and funded by the National Institutes of Health, found the medications may be connected to a higher likelihood of ischemic optic neuropathy.

Ischemic optic neuropathy is a condition in which a sudden reduction in blood flow to the optic nerve in the eye can lead to rapid and often permanent partial vision loss.

“Although ischemic optic neuropathy was rare, it is clinically important because it can involve sudden vision loss,” said Dr. Chintan Dave, a faculty member at the Rutgers Institute for Health. “The increase in risk was small, but clinicians and patients should be aware of this potential association.”

Researchers analyzed a large group of adult participants aged 18 to 65 who were being treated for Type 2 diabetes. They discovered an increase of nearly four cases for every 10,000 patients taking GLP-1 drugs over more than a year as opposed to patients taking SGLT2 inhibitors or DPP4 inhibitors.

Most of the cases occurred in men or participants between 50 and 65, researchers noted.

“Because ischemic optic neuropathy can present with sudden vision loss, which may be permanent, early recognition of symptoms and prompt ophthalmologic evaluation may be especially important for patients at higher baseline risk,” Dave added.

Ischemic optic neuropathy symptoms include blurring, dimming or loss of field of vision in one’s eye.

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