AIM: To observe the efficacy of addition and subtraction of Buyang Huanwu decoction in the adjuvant treatment of non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy of Qi-Yin deficiency and blood stasis and its effects on traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndromes and visual function level.

METHODS: A total of 110 patients with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy of Qi-Yin deficiency and blood stasis in our hospital between January 2017 and December 2019 were selected and divided into observation group(55 cases, 110 eyes)and control group(55 cases, 110 eyes). Patients in control group received conventional treatment according to the condition of patients with reference to relevant guidelines, and patients in observation group were combined with addition and subtraction of Buyang Huanwu decoction adjuvant therapy on this basis. The clinical efficacy after 3mo of treatment, and TCM syndromes scores, clinical indicators(macular edema score, macular retinal volume, macular foveal retinal thickness), visual function(best corrected visual acuity, average visual field sensitivity)and serum biochemical indicators \〖vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF), hypoxia-inducible factor-1(HIF-1)\〗 before treatment and 3mo after treatment were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS: After 3mo of treatment, the total effective rate of treatment in observation group was significantly higher than that in control group(P<0.05). After 3mo of treatment, the TCM syndromes scores in the two groups were decreased compared with those before treatment, and the scores in observation group were lower than those in control group(P<0.05). After 3mo of treatment, the macular edema score, macular retinal volume and macular foveal retinal thickness in the two groups were reduced compared with those before treatment, and the indexes in observation group were smaller than those in control group(P<0.05). After 3mo of treatment, the best corrected visual acuity and average visual field sensitivity in the two groups were improved compared with those before treatment, and the indexes in observation group were higher than those in control group(P<0.05). After 3mo of treatment, the levels of serum VEGF and HIF-1 in the two groups were decreased compared with those before treatment, and the levels in observation group were lower than those in control group(P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: Addition and subtraction of Buyang Huanwu decoction has an exact efficacy in the adjuvant treatment of non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy of Qi-Yin deficiency and blood stasis, and it can improve symptoms and promote visual function recovery by reducing the expressions of VEGF and HIF-1.