Efficacy of conbercept combined with panretinal photocoagulation in the treatment of proliferative diabetic retinopathy

This prospective clinical study was to compare the effect of panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) associated with intravitreal conbercept injections versus PRP alone in the treatment of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). For each of 15 patients included, one eye was randomly assigned to receive treatment with PRP, and the other eye received conbercept combined PRP. Ophthalmic examinations, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) were performed at baseline and at each monthly visit until 6 months. Fluorescein angiography (FA) was acquired at baseline, 3 months and 6 months. Between group and within group analysis was done by using generalized estimating equations (GEE). The combination group had a significant decrease of neovascularization (NV) leakage area than the PRP group at month 3 and month 6 after treatment, and a better best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) during the first three months. Within-group analysis indicated a significant decrease in NV leakage at month 3 and month 6 in both groups, and a significant increase in BCVA at 1 month in the combination group. In summary, the combination of intravitreal injection of conbercept and PRP can significantly reduce the NV of PDR patients and achieve better BCVA during the drug’s lifespan compared with PRP alone.