AIM: To compare the efficacy of aflibercept and ranibizumab in the treatment of diabetic macular edema(DME).

METHODS: Prospective randomized controlled trial. A total of 35 patients(60 eyes)with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy complicated with DME confirmed in our hospital from June 2020 to September 2021 were included. Intravitreal injection was performed using the 3+PRN protocol in all cases, of which 17 cases(30 eyes)received aflibercept treatment(aflibercept group)and 18 cases(30 eyes)received ranibizumab(ranibizumab group). The two groups were followed up for 12mo, observing the central macular thickness(CMT)and the best corrected visual acuity(BCVA)of the two groups, and recording the number of intravitreal injections and the occurrence of complications.

RESULTS: After treatment, CMT and BCVA in the aflibercept group were significantly better than that in the ranibizumab group at 1, 3, 6 and 12 mo(all P<0.001). During the follow-up period, the number of intravitreal injections in the aflibercept group was lower than that in the ranibizumab group(4.23±0.86 vs. 6.40±0.97, P<0.05), there were no serious complications such as drug-related adverse reactions, intraocular infection, and vascular embolism in either group.

CONCLUSION: Both aflibercept and ranibizumab have clear efficacy and safety in the treatment of DME, and aflibercept may be a more effective and convenient treatment option than ranibizumab for DME patients.