AIM: To systematically review the difference between the efficacy of 577nm subthreshold micropulse diode laser and conventional laser in the treatment of diabetic macular edema(DME).

METHODS:Retrieved from PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CBM, CNKI, CQVIP, and CECDB databases, randomized controlled trials(RCT)and retrospective clinical control trials(CCT)about the difference between the efficacy of 577nm subthreshold micropulse diode laser and conventional laser in the treatment of diabetic macular edema were collected. The search time was from the establishment of the library until August 2019. Meta-analysis was performed by using RevMan 5.3/Stata 14.0 software after screening the literature, extracting the data, and evaluating the quality of the literature by two researchers.

RESULTS: A total of 7 studies, 6 RCTs and 1 CCT involving 401 patients and 545 eyes were included. The results of Meta-analysis showed that the best corrected visual acuity(BCVA)measured values in the 577nm subthreshold micropulse diode laser group were higher than the conventional laser group \〖95% CI(0.02, 0.08), P=0.002\〗. The macular retinal thicken measured values in the 577nm subthreshold micropulse diode laser group was significantly lower the conventional laser group \〖95% CI(-26.96 to -10.88), P<0.00001\〗. The mean sensitivity within macular 10° examination measured values in the 577nm subthreshold micropulse diode laser group was significantly higher than that conventional laser group \〖95% CI(1.56 to 2.39), P<0.00001\〗.

CONCLUSION: 577nm subthreshold micropulse diode laser can not only better improve the visual function of patients with DME, but also have a higher safety in treatment. 577nm subthreshold micropulse diode laser has good research value for the treatment of DME, it's worthy of application and promotion in clinical practice.