AIM: To evaluate the clinical effect of traditional Chinese medicine plus laser photocoagulation on eyes which have peripheral retinal hole with shallow detachment.

METHODS: The 227 cases(246 eyes)of retinal hole with shallow detachment were randomly divided into an integrated Chinese and western medicine group and a western medicine group. The former underwent laser photocoagulation combined with oral Chinese medicine; while the latter was treated with laser photocoagulation alone. Analyses of the effect were performed two months after treatment.

RESULTS: The total cure rate of integrated Chinese and western medicine group was 87.7%, while that of western medicine group was 71.6%, significant difference was considered between the two groups(P<0.01).

CONCLUSION: Chinese medicine combined with laser photocoagulation plays an exact role in eyes which have peripheral retinal hole with shallow detachment, especially when the detached range is greater than 1PD, and it is significantly better than western laser therapy.