Sequential nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy occurs earlier with GLP-1 receptor agonist exposure

For patients with nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist exposure is associated with earlier sequential NAION, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, held Oct. 9 to 12 in New Orleans.

Ashley Tin, from the Carle Illinois College of Medicine in Urbana, and colleagues examined whether GLP-1 receptor agonist exposure is associated with earlier sequential NAION. Early (one to six months) versus late (36 to 60 months) events were compared in 1,440 GLP-1 receptor agonist users and 20,713 nonusers, stratified by pre- and post-GLP-1 receptor agonist eras.

The researchers found that the early event concentration was higher for GLP-1 receptor agonist users, with 69.5% versus 52% of events occurring within six months in users and nonusers, respectively (relative risk, 2.63). Across eras, findings were consistent. Higher hemoglobin A1c was seen in GLP-1 receptor agonist users versus nonusers.

“We were not particularly surprised by the findings because the large-database analysis was consistent with the clinical observation that prompted the study,” Tin said in a statement. “That said, seeing the clinical impression reproduced across a very large data set was striking and underscored the need to investigate the association further.”

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