New research suggests fenofibrates, which act to lower lipids in the blood, may also slow progression of diabetic retinopathy.1
Drawing on global real-world data from the TriNetX database, researchers evaluated progression of retinopathy and development of cataracts, primary open-angle glaucoma, and diabetic macular oedema in patients with diabetes with and without fenofibrate use.
Adults with mild or moderate nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy on fenofibrate had nearly half the odds of progressing to vision-threatening disease, more than 40% lower odds of developing cataracts, and over two-thirds lower odds of developing diabetic macular oedema compared with those not on the drug.
Reference
- Oliver C, Berkenstock M, Sachdeva M. Association of fenofibrate use with progression of ocular disease in individuals with diabetes. Br J Ophthalmol. 2026;Online ahead of print. doi: 10.1136/bjo-2026-329642.
