Daijiworld Media Network – Washington

Washington, Feb 21: A commonly prescribed class of medications for type 2 diabetes may also help reduce the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy, a serious eye condition that can lead to vision loss, according to a new study published in the journal Ophthalmology.

Researchers found that GLP-1-based weight loss drugs such as Mounjaro and Zepbound, which contain the active ingredient tirzepatide, were associated with a lower risk of new-onset diabetic retinopathy or progression to more severe stages of the disease in people with type 2 diabetes.

The study’s lead author, Dr Szilard Kiss of NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, said the findings suggest that patients with diabetic retinopathy may be less concerned about worsening of their condition while taking tirzepatide. He noted that those on the medication appeared less likely to require advanced eye treatments such as laser therapy or injections, typically needed in severe cases.

The researchers analysed electronic health records of over 174,000 patients across 70 health systems in the United States. They compared individuals with type 2 diabetes who began tirzepatide therapy with similar patients who relied solely on lifestyle interventions such as dietary changes and exercise counselling.

After one year, patients on tirzepatide showed a lower risk of worsening diabetic retinopathy or related complications. For instance, mild non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy occurred in 0.49 per cent of tirzepatide users, compared to 1.2 per cent in the lifestyle-only group.

Earlier research on semaglutide-based medications like Ozempic and Wegovy had suggested a temporary worsening of diabetic retinopathy. However, those effects were found to be short-term, with no significant long-term increase in disease progression over three years.

Experts not involved in the study cautioned that the findings are observational and do not establish direct cause and effect. They noted that rapid improvements in blood sugar levels, rather than the drugs themselves, may sometimes temporarily worsen retinopathy in patients with advanced disease. Over the long term, however, better glucose control is generally linked to improved retinal outcomes.

Diabetic retinopathy occurs when prolonged high blood sugar damages blood vessels in the retina. It is one of the most common causes of preventable blindness in the United States and affects millions of people with diabetes. The condition often shows no symptoms in its early stages but can eventually cause blurred vision, floaters, difficulty seeing at night and, in severe cases, vision loss.

Doctors recommend that people with diabetes maintain good control of blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol, adopt healthy lifestyle habits, and undergo annual dilated eye examinations to detect changes early. Patients starting powerful glucose-lowering medications are also advised to consider closer eye monitoring during the initial months of treatment.

While the findings are encouraging, researchers emphasised the need for longer-term studies to better understand the sustained impact of tirzepatide on eye health.