Ophthalmol Retina

Common medications may affect diabetic macular edema risk and outcomes

October 22, 2025

Medication choice may influence retinal outcomes in T2DM. GLP-1 agonists and fibrates could offer protective benefits, while calcium channel blocker (CCB) use warrants caution in patients at risk for vision-threatening complications.

Study details: This retrospective cohort study using TriNetX EMR data (2004–2024) assessed whether systemic medications—GLP-1 receptor agonists, fibrates, thiazolidinediones (TZDs), and CCBs—affect diabetic macular edema (DME) risk in T2DM. Patients newly started on these drugs were compared with propensity score–matched controls over a 2-year follow-up.

Results: Among more than 225,000 patients analyzed, GLP-1 agonists (hazard ratio [HR], 0.77; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.70–0.85) and fibrates (HR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.68–0.98) were associated with reduced DME risk. CCBs were linked to increased risk (HR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.54–1.78). TZDs showed no significant effect (HR, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.94–1.25).

Source:

Muayad J, et al. (2025, June 9). Ophthalmol Retina. Influence of Common Medications on Diabetic Macular Edema in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39644923/