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Studies analyze connections between GLP-1, cataracts and AMD
Dec. 22, 2025
Observational analyses indicate GLP‑1 receptor agonists are associated with reduced incidence of age‑related cataracts and dry AMD, with no signal for progression to neovascular (wet) AMD.
Study Findings
Abhimanyu Ahuja, MD, led two studies, analyzing data from the TriNetX electronic health record network. The studies compared adults 55 years or older prescribed semaglutide or liraglutide with peers receiving other weight-loss agents or no pharmacologic therapy.
Propensity score matching balanced demographics, comorbidities and body mass index. As a result, findings showed statistically significant lower risk ratios for cataract incidence at five, seven and ten years among GLP-1 users versus both comparison cohorts. Conversely, users of other weight-loss medications demonstrated higher cataract risk.
Also, GLP-1 exposure was associated with reduced risk of dry AMD at multiple time points. There were no significant associations emerged for progression to wet AMD.
Learn More
The cataract report appears in the American Journal of Ophthalmology and the AMD analysis in JAMA Ophthalmology. Investigators emphasize these are associative results, not proof of causation. They advocate for prospective randomized trials to determine whether GLP-1 RAs exert direct protective retinal or lenticular effects before clinical practice changes are considered. Regulatory guidance may be warranted soon.
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