AIM: To investigate the efficacy and safety of intravitreal injection of Conbercept ophthalmic injection(COI)combined with photocoagulation in elderly patients with diabetic macular edema(DME)in order to provide a reference for clinical practice.

METHODS: In the DME patients admitted to our hospital in August 2016 to June 2018, according to whether the patients were treated with photocoagulation treatment or not, the patients was divided into observation group(photocoagulation treatment combined with COI)in 55 cases of 55 eyes and control group(photocoagulation treatment without COI)in 50 cases, 50 eyes. The clinical outcomes of the two groups after surgery included the best corrected visual acuity(BCVA), foveal retinal thickness(CMT), intraocular pressure and visual field, 30° visual field average light threshold sensitivity, and visual field mean defect value.

RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the general data between the two groups(P>0.05). There were statistically significant differences on BCVA(0.63±0.13 vs 0.76±0.19; t=4.123, P<0.001), CMT(305.89±58.76 vs 340.26±60.41μm; t=2.954, P=0.004)between observation group and control group, but there was no significant difference between the two groups in the intraocular pressure(12.11±1.82 vs 12.24±1.59mmHg; t=0.389, P=0.700). The value of visual field and the mean visual field defect of the observation group were significantly lower than those of the control group at 1mo after operation(P<0.001). The average light threshold sensitivity of the observation group was significantly higher at 30° 1mo after operation than that of the control group, the difference was statistically significant(P<0.001).

CONCLUSION: Conbercept ophthalmic injection combined with photocoagulation can improve the efficacy and safety of the treatment for diabetic macular edema in diabetic macular edema patients.