A study suggests tirzepatide may lower the risk of new or worsening diabetic retinopathy compared to lifestyle treatment alone.

According to a new study from Weill Cornell Medicine published in Ophthalmology, the widely used diabetes and weight-loss medication tirzepatide may reduce the risk of diabetic retinopathy, offering reassurance to patients concerned about vision complications.

Diabetic retinopathy, caused by long-term high blood sugar damaging retinal blood vessels, affects nearly 10 million people in the United States and is a leading cause of vision loss. While earlier research suggested that some GLP-1 drugs, such as semaglutide, might temporarily worsen retinopathy due to rapid blood sugar reduction, the new analysis indicates a different trend for tirzepatide.

Researchers reviewed electronic health records of approximately 174,000 patients across 70 U.S. health systems. Patients with diabetes and overweight or obesity who initiated tirzepatide were compared with matched individuals who pursued lifestyle interventions alone.

After one year, tirzepatide users showed a lower risk of new or worsening retinopathy. Mild non-proliferative retinopathy occurred in 0.49% of tirzepatide users compared with 1.2% in controls. The need for laser therapy or intraocular injections was also reduced.

(Source:https://www.news-medical.net/news/20260211/Weight-loss-drug-tirzepatide-may-lower-the-risk-of-diabetic-retinopathy.aspx)