AIM: To explore the clinical value of oral administration of Tongmai Tangyanming Capsule after 23-gauge(23G)pars plana vitrectomy(PPV)in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy(PDR).

METHODS: This prospective study included 98 patients(109 eyes)with PDR admitted to the hospital between February 2018 and October 2019. The patients were randomly divided into control group(49 cases, 54 eyes, 23G PPV)and observation group(49 cases, 55 eyes, oral administration of Tongmai Tangyanming Capsule, 750 mg/time, 3 times/d, for 12wk). The best corrected visual acuity(BCVA), intraocular pressure, visual field sensitivity and central macular thickness(CMT)were measured before and 12wk after surgery. Changes in insulin-like growth factor-1(IGF-1)and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)were determined, and insulin resistance index(HOMA-IR)was calculated. The surgical complications and recurrence rate during 12wk of follow-up were observed.

RESULTS: At 12wk after surgery, the BCVA(LogMAR)and visual field sensitivity of the two groups were improved(P<0.001), and CMT was decreased(P<0.001), but there was no significant change in intraocular pressure(P>0.05). Meanwhile, the BCVA and visual field sensitivity of the observation group were higher than those of the control group(P<0.05), and CMT was smaller than that of the control group(P<0.05). At 12wk after surgery, serum IGF-1, VEGF and HOMA-IR were decreased in the two groups(P<0.001), and these indicators in the observation group were lower than those in the control group(P<0.001). The incidence of complications and recurrence rate were similar in the two groups(P >0.05).

CONCLUSION: Oral administration of Tongmai Tangyanming Capsule after 23G PPV can better promote postoperative visual recovery, improve visual sensitivity, reduce insulin resistance and lower the levels of IGF-1 and VEGF, inhibit retinal neovascularization and proliferation, and reduce the risk of recurrence.