Ocular Complications Associated with GLP1 Agonist Therapy

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (DM) has proven to be an ever growing non communicable disease (NCD) of pandemic proportions, which continues to affect millions of people globally either directly or indirectly. From contributing to increasing morbidity, decreasing quality of life and increasing mortality rates, DM executes its actions via its effects on both microvascular and macrovascular pathways. Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) is an affliction that is seen in the majority of DM affected individuals in varying stages from mild disease to vision loss. In vast majority of people, a routine evaluation for diminished vision is often the first point of diagnosis for DM. Uncontrolled sugars have often been the causative agent for the development of DR. However, in recent times, the incidence of DR and its progression has also been attributed to the rate of decrease of hyperglycemia and the incidence of hypoglycemia in diabetic individuals. Recent advances in medications like the use of GLP1 agonists for the control of hyperglycemia in uncontrolled obese diabetics have significantly shown benefit by offering cardiorenal protection and neuroprotection. This article aims to look at the effects of reduction of hyperglycemia and weight loss caused by GLP1 agonists on the incidence and progression of DR.