OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the clinical efficacy of Conbercept combined with retinal photocoagulation in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and its effect on visual acuity and related outcomes.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 120 PDR patients treated between January 2019 and January 2021. Based on treatment modality, patients were assigned to a study group (SG, n=60; Conbercept combined with retinal photocoagulation) or a control group (CG, n=60; retinal photocoagulation alone). Surgical data, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT), frequency of Conbercept injections, incidence of postoperative complications, quality of life (QoL) scores, and the need for additional pan-retinal photocoagulation (PRP) were compared between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify independent risk factors associated with surgical complications.

RESULTS

Compared to the CG, the SG demonstrated significantly reduced intraoperative bleeding and greater improvements in BCVA and CMT from 1-48 months postoperatively (<0.05). The SG required fewer additional PRP sessions at 6 months postoperatively (<0.05), and demonstrated significantly lower rates of vitreous hemorrhage and macular edema recurrence (<0.05). QoL scores were significantly higher in the SG at the 48-month follow-up (<0.05). Logistic regression analysis identified age ≥60 years, disease duration ≥15 years, baseline HbA1c ≥8.5%, surgical duration ≥90 minutes, intraoperative bleeding ≥2 mL, and lack of early anti-VEGF therapy as independent risk factors for postoperative complications (<0.05).

CONCLUSION

The combination of Conbercept with retinal photocoagulation significantly improved visual outcomes and reduced postoperative complications in PDR patients, particularly beneficial for patients with advanced age, prolonged disease duration, elevated HbA1c, extended surgical duration, or intraoperative bleeding.