A recent review published in JAMA Ophthalmology on August 14 has found that semaglutide, a medication commonly used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, does not appear to increase the risk of eye disorders or diabetic retinopathy in adults.

The study, led by Dr. Gabriella R. Natividade from the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul in Porto Alegre, Brazil, aimed to evaluate the incidence of eye-related issues, including diabetic retinopathy and nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), among adults using semaglutide.

The researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis, incorporating data from 78 trials involving 73,640 participants. The findings revealed that semaglutide treatment neither increased nor decreased the risk of eye disorders or diabetic retinopathy. However, the study did find a significantly increased risk of NAION in individuals treated with semaglutide, with an odds ratio of 3.92.

The risk of bias across the studies was generally low, and the sample size was large enough to exclude significant results for diabetic retinopathy. However, it was not sufficiently powered to conclusively rule out risks for NAION, as noted by the trial sequential analysis.

In their conclusion, the authors emphasized that the findings suggest that semaglutide does not pose a heightened risk for eye-related complications in diabetic adults. They stated, “Treatment with semaglutide in adults was not associated with an increased risk of eye disorders or diabetic retinopathy in this study, and future studies are unlikely to change these results.”

However, they also called for further studies to specifically examine the relationship between semaglutide and NAION, given the increased risk associated with the condition.

This study provides reassuring information for those managing diabetes with semaglutide, though it highlights the need for additional research into its potential link to optic neuropathy.