A large retrospective cohort study published in Ophthalmology Retina found that patients taking GLP-1 receptor agonists — the drug class behind Ozempic and Wegovy — had significantly lower rates of age-related macular degeneration compared to those on other glucose-lowering or lipid-lowering medications. Risk reductions ranged from 16% to 50% depending on AMD type and comparison group. Researchers from Cleveland Clinic analyzed propensity-matched claims data and found no evidence that GLP-1s worsen conversion to advanced AMD. While experts call the findings promising, they stress that prospective clinical trials are needed before GLP-1s can be recommended as a strategy for protecting vision.
