AIM:To explore the clinical effectiveness of sodium aescinate combined with Nd:YAG laser on diabetic macular edema(DME).

METHODS:One hundred and sixty-two eyes in 113 DME patients were randomly divided into observation group treated with sodium aescinate combined with 532nm laser(55 cases with 80 eyes)and control group treated with single Nd:YAG 532nm laser(58 cases with 82 eyes). Fundus evaluation including the thickness of macular edema and best corrected visual acuity(BCVA)in all patients were measured by optical coherence tomography(OCT)to analyze the differences before and after treatments(1,2,3 and 4mo). All patients also underwent fundus fluorescein angiography(FFA)before and at 4 mo after treatments.

RESULTS:There was no statistical difference on intraocular pressure(IOP),BCVA,CMT and the number of patient with fluorescence leakage before and after treatments between the two groups(P>0.05).IOP before and after treatments had no significant differences between the two groups(P>0.05). The BCVA,CMT and number of patients with fluorescence leakage at 1,2,3 and 4mo after treatments of two groups were better than those before treatments,and the differences were statistical significant(all P<0.05).The BCVA, CMT and the number of patients with fluorescence leakage at 1,2,3 and 4mo after treatments of observation group by multiple comparison were statistical significant(all P<0.05). The BCVA at 1,2,3 and 4mo after treatments of control group were not statistical significant by multiple comparison(all P>0.05),The CMT and the number of patients with fluorescence leakage at 1,2,3 and 4mo after treatments of control group were statistical significant by multiple comparison(all P<0.05). Except for 1mo after treatments,the BCVA were not statistical significant between two groups(P>0.05). The BCVA,CMT and number of patients of fluorescence leakage of observation group at same time after treatments were better than those of control group,and the differences were statistical significant(all P<0.05).Eight patients with 9 eyes(14.5%)of observation group had upset stomach and nausea. Four cases(5 eyes)in observation group and 5 cases(5 eyes)in control group developed vitreous hemorrhage and the difference was no statistically significant(P>0.05).

CONCLUSION:It is an effective and safe therapeutic method for diabetic macular edema by sodium aescinate combined with laser.