Medical News Today (MNT)More Research Links GLP-1 Drugs to Potentially Blinding Eye Diseases

This observational study of 139,000+ diabetic patients reveals doubled nAMD risk with GLP-1 use, directly impacting OBGYN practice given increasing off-label GLP-1 prescribing for PCOS-related weight management and growing patient requests for weight loss medications during reproductive years and menopause transitions.

⚕️Key Clinical Considerations⚕️

• Reproductive Age Implications: Although the study focused on patients 66+, younger women using GLP-1s for PCOS or fertility-related weight loss may face long-term cumulative ocular risks requiring counseling.
• Preconception Planning: Women with diabetes using GLP-1 medications need comprehensive risk assessment including ophthalmologic evaluation before conception, as pregnancy may compound existing retinal risks.
• Menopause Transition: Postmenopausal patients increasingly seek GLP-1s for metabolic syndrome; coordinate with primary care regarding baseline eye exams given age-related AMD susceptibility.
• Patient Counseling Complexity: Balance discussions of reproductive/metabolic benefits against potential long-term ocular risks, particularly for women with family history of macular degeneration.
• Interdisciplinary Coordination: Establish referral pathways with ophthalmology for patients you’re considering for GLP-1 therapy, especially those with concurrent diabetes or metabolic disorders.

🎯 Clinical Practice Impact 🎯

• Patient Communication: Address patient inquiries about GLP-1 safety during reproductive counseling. Discuss ocular risks when prescribing for PCOS or recommending for obesity management, emphasizing importance of ophthalmologic monitoring.
• Practice Integration: Document GLP-1 use in problem lists for continuity across reproductive health visits. Include visual symptoms in review of systems for patients on chronic GLP-1 therapy.
• Risk Management: Develop protocols for pre-prescribing ophthalmologic clearance, particularly for patients with diabetes, hypertension, or family AMD history seeking fertility or metabolic treatments.
• Action Items: Review current PCOS and weight management protocols to incorporate ocular risk assessment. Establish ophthalmology referral relationships for comprehensive care coordination.

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