AIM:To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of nerve growth factor for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy(DR).METHODS:Patients diagnosed withDR at Peking University First Hospital from June 2010 to September 2010 were enrolled to receive nerve growth factor treatment. The nerve growth factor 30μg per day was injected by intramuscular for 21 days. LogMAR vision, mean defect and electrophysiological parameters including electroretinogram (EGR) and pattern visual evoked potential (P-VEP) were examined and compared before and after the treatment. Blood routine examination, urine routine, blood-fasting sugar, liver function, renal function before and after the treatment as well as other adverse events related to the treatment were also examined to evaluate the safety of the treatment. RESULTS:Twenty-four consecutive patients were enrolled to receive nerve growth factor treatment. There were 13 males (25 eyes) and 11 females (22 eyes), with an average age of 60.4 years. The average LogMAR vision were 0.32±0.31 and 0.28±0.35 (P=0.31) respectively before and after the treatment. Mean defect before and after the treatment were -13.11±7.57dB and -11.82±7.14dB. Dark flash electroretinogram(FERG) a wave after the treatment demonstrated shorter incubation period and increased amplitude than that before treatment although there was no statistical significance. The incubation period and amplitude of P100 wave were not improved after the treatment. Liver and renal function impairments were not noted and the main adverse event was pain and hard node at the site of injection, with an incidence of 59%.CONCLUSION:Nerve growth factor shows marginal success in therapy of nerve degeneration of DR, but further study should be conducted to expand the sample size. 