GLP-1 and Blindness

KGNU - How On Earth

photo of intermediate macular degeneration c National Institutes of Health

We talk with scientists who report that a common weight loss/diabetes drug known as a GLP-1 receptor agonist (Wegovy, Ozempic for instance) is associated with an increased risk of blindness. The study was published last week in the Journal of the American Medical Association Ophthalmology, about a form of blindness known as “wet” macular degeneration. The scientists we talk with today are Marko Popovic and Reut Shor. We also refer to a different, unrelated study, underway, to evaluate a ketogenic diet and eye health, specifically, whether or not a ketogenic diet can reduce diabetes while providing better protection to the eye.

Executive Producer: Joel Parker
Show Producer: Shelley Schlender