A widely used diabetes and weight loss medication may do more than lower blood sugar and help people shed pounds.
New research suggests that tirzepatide, sold under the brand names Mounjaro and Zepbound, could also reduce the risk of diabetic eye disease.
The study, led by researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine and published in the journal Ophthalmology, found that people taking tirzepatide were less likely to develop diabetic retinopathy or see their existing condition worsen.
Diabetic retinopathy is a serious complication of diabetes that occurs when high blood sugar damages the tiny blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye.
It affects nearly 10 million people in the United States and is a leading cause of vision loss.
Some earlier research raised concerns that certain GLP-1 drugs, such as semaglutide (sold as Ozempic or Wegovy), might temporarily worsen diabetic retinopathy, possibly because they lower blood sugar very quickly.
However, doctors at Weill Cornell noticed that patients taking tirzepatide did not seem to experience the same pattern.
To investigate further, researchers analyzed electronic health records from about 174,000 patients across 70 U.S. health systems. They compared people with diabetes and overweight or obesity who started tirzepatide with similar patients who relied on lifestyle changes alone, such as diet and exercise counseling.
After one year, patients taking tirzepatide had a lower risk of developing new diabetic retinopathy or experiencing worsening disease compared with those who did not take the drug.
For example, mild non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy developed in 0.49% of tirzepatide users, compared with 1.2% of those in the control group. Patients on tirzepatide were also less likely to need advanced treatments such as laser therapy or eye injections, which are typically required when retinopathy becomes more severe.
Tirzepatide works differently from semaglutide. While semaglutide activates the GLP-1 hormone pathway to lower blood sugar and reduce appetite, tirzepatide activates both the GLP-1 and another hormone pathway called GIP.
This dual action appears to improve insulin sensitivity, reduce inflammation, and support greater weight loss. Researchers believe these broader metabolic effects may help protect the tiny blood vessels in the retina.
Dr. Szilárd Kiss, senior author of the study and an ophthalmologist at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, said the findings may reassure patients who worry that taking tirzepatide could harm their vision. Instead, the medication may actually lower the risk of needing serious eye treatments.
The researchers plan to continue studying this question in more detail, including analyzing retinal images and vision measurements. A better understanding of how these medications affect the eyes could help doctors choose treatments that protect both blood sugar control and long-term eye health.
