AIM:To evaluate the clinical outcomes of macular laser photocoagulation after intravitreal injection of 1.25mg doses of Bevacizumab for diffuse diabetic macular edema(DME).

METHODS: Eighty-six eyes of 74 patients with diffuse DME were randomized into 2 groups. In laser group, 48 eyes were subjected to a macular Focal/grid laser photocoagulation 3 weeks after intravitreal injection of 1.25mg doses of Bevacizumab. In control group, 38 eyes underwent only intravitreal injection of 1.25mg doses of Bevacizumab. The changes of visual acuity and central macular thickness of all eyes in both groups preoperatively, 3 and 6 weeks, 3 months postoperatively were recorded.

RESULTS:There was no statistical significance on visual acuity before and 3 weeks after treatment, while the differences before and 6weeks and 3 months after treatment were significant. Central macular thicknesses were 395.933±119.784, 292.617±39.131, 302.350±55.272 and 314.200±60.528μm before, and 3,6 weeks, 3 months after injection, respectively in laser group. In control group, those were 398.734±111.764, 301.217±34.231, 312. 120±53.170 and 395.145±108.687μm, respectively. The 2-tailed T test revealed that visual acuity was not significantly different between two groups at baseline and 3 weeks after injection, but were significantly better in laser group at 6 weeks(P=0.02)and 3 months after treatment(P<0.001).

CONCLUSION: Intravitreal injection of Bevacizumab combined retinal photocoagulation is more effective to diffuse DME, benefits retinal photocoagulation and improves visual acuity of patients with diabetic macular edema.