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Cannabis Linked to Increased Risk of Uveitis

By Dr. Kevin -
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  A large study looked at more than 1.1 million cannabis users and compared them with an equal number of people who did not use cannabis. The researchers found that people who use cannabis had a noticeably higher risk of developing uveitis—an inflammatory condition inside the eye that can threaten vision. Overall, cannabis users were about 80% more likely to get uveitis. Some specific and more serious types showed even higher risks, including panuveitis , choroidal degeneration , and retinal vasculitis . The study suggests several reasons why cannabis might trigger inflammation in the eye. Cannabis affects the body’s endocannabinoid system, which normally helps regulate inflammation. THC and CBD may disrupt this balance. Also, smoking cannabis produces chemicals that cause oxidative stress and irritation in tissues, possibly damaging blood vessels in the eye and weakening the blood-retinal barrier. Because of these findings, the authors recommend that eye doctors ask about cann...
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GLP-1 Drugs Linked to Lower AMD Risk, but No Effect on Disease Progression

By Dr. Kevin -
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 A national TriNetX database study published in Ophthalmology Retina found that patients taking GLP-1 receptor agonists had a significantly lower risk of developing both dry and wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) compared to those using other glucose- or lipid-lowering drugs. However, these medications did not influence the rate of conversion from non-neovascular (dry) to neovascular (wet) AMD among patients who already had the condition. Using data from nearly 120 million patients, researchers applied rigorous propensity matching to control for factors like chronic disease and metabolic severity. Over one to three years, GLP-1 drug use was linked to roughly 20–25% lower hazard ratios for developing dry AMD and a consistent reduction in risk for wet AMD across all time points. The authors suggested that the apparent protective effect may result from both biological and healthcare access factors—patients on GLP-1 drugs might have more regular medical care and earlier AMD...
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YAG Laser May Worsen Diabetic Eye Disease After Cataract Surgery

By Dr. Kevin -
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 A large study found that diabetic patients who undergo YAG laser capsulotomy after cataract surgery face higher risks of serious eye problems compared to those who don’t. The procedure, used to clear cloudy vision after cataract surgery, was linked to an increased chance of developing proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), vitreous hemorrhage, tractional retinal detachment, and neovascular glaucoma. These patients were also more likely to need panretinal photocoagulation (PRP), though not more likely to require vitrectomy surgery. Researchers reviewed records from over 10,000 patients with nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy across 69 U.S. healthcare centers. They found YAG-treated patients had about 1.4–2 times higher risk for the complications mentioned. The findings suggest diabetic patients should be monitored closely after YAG, and future studies should examine how disease stage, age, and laser settings affect outcomes.
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Migraine May Triple the Risk of Central Serous Chorioretinopathy, Study Finds

By Dr. Kevin -
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 A large study found that people who suffer from migraines are almost three times more likely to develop central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR), an eye condition that causes fluid buildup under the retina. Researchers analyzed data from over 800,000 adults aged 18–40 and found a CSCR rate of 1.43 per 10,000 in migraine patients, compared with 0.51 per 10,000 in those without migraines. This higher risk was seen across all migraine types and was not affected by common migraine medications. The findings suggest that migraines and CSCR may share similar vascular causes. Both involve changes in blood flow in the choroid (the eye layer supplying the retina). The study proposes that stress, autonomic nervous system imbalance, and abnormal vascular responses could link the two conditions. Migraine attacks might cause temporary choroidal expansion, and in some people, this may lead to chronic dysfunction and CSCR. Clinically, the authors recommend that a migraine history be considered...
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GLP-1 Drugs May Greatly Lower AMD Risk in Obese, Nondiabetic Adults—but Experts Urge Caution

By Dr. Kevin -
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  A large JAMA Ophthalmology study of more than 90,000 obese, nondiabetic adults found that those using GLP-1 receptor agonists —such as liraglutide and semaglutide—had an over 80% lower risk of developing nonexudative (dry) AMD compared with users of other weight-loss medications. At 5, 7, and 10 years, GLP-1 users had risk reductions of 83%, 87%, and 91%, respectively. Researchers suggest that GLP-1 drugs may have anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects in the retina, independent of blood sugar control. However, they noted that the study was retrospective and relied on electronic health record coding, meaning results could be affected by selection and documentation bias . An invited commentary praised the study’s scale but warned that the magnitude of benefit seemed unusually large and may reflect methodological issues , such as incomplete screening for AMD and reliance on coding rather than clinical exams. Experts concluded that while GLP-1 drugs have clear health b...
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A FEW SYSTEMIC DRUGS THAT CAN CAUSE EYE PROBLEMS

By Dr. Kevin -
 A new study in the International Journal of Surgery analyzed data from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (2004–2024) to find which systemic (whole-body) drugs are most often linked to eye problems . The most common eye conditions reported were cataract, dry eye, and glaucoma , with blurred vision and eye pain being the most frequent symptoms. In total, 141 drugs were identified, spanning categories such as cancer treatments, nervous system drugs, infection treatments, immune/inflammatory drugs, cardiovascular and endocrine therapies, and respiratory drugs . Dupilumab (for atopic dermatitis) was the drug most often linked to eye issues. It can damage goblet cells in the conjunctiva, reducing tear production and causing dry eye disease . Belantamab mafodotin (for multiple myeloma) caused frequent blurred vision and dry eye . Fingolimod (for multiple sclerosis) was the next most common, known for causing macular edema . Moxifloxacin (oral form) was linked t...
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WIRELESS IMPLANT IMPROVES VISION IN PATIENT WITH GEOGRAPHIC ATROPHY FROM MACULAR DEGENERATION

By Dr. Kevin -
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 A new wireless retinal implant called PRIMA may restore central vision in people with geographic atrophy (GA) from advanced AMD, according to a New England Journal of Medicine study . The PRIMA system uses a tiny 2x2mm chip placed under the retina where photoreceptors have died. A camera on special glasses captures images and projects them onto the implant with infrared light , which the chip converts into electrical signals to stimulate retinal cells—essentially replacing lost photoreceptors. In the PRIMAvera clinical trial of 38 GA patients, 81% of participants showed significant vision improvement (≥0.2 logMAR) after 12 months, with many able to read and write again . Side effects, mostly from surgery, were temporary and similar to those seen with standard retinal procedures. The implant currently provides black-and-white vision , but updates may allow grayscale or facial recognition in the future. Its wireless design makes it safer and easier to upgrade or combine ...
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