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Outcomes of anti‑VEGF therapy compared with conventional interventions in diabetic retinopathy management

  • Authors:
    • Yong Guo
    • Rui Yang
    • Yan Li
    • Chenjun Guo
    • Houcheng Liang
  • View Affiliations / Copyright

    Affiliations: Department of Ocular Fundus Diseases, Xi'an Bright Eye Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710068, P.R. China, Department of Ophthalmology, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710038, P.R. China
    Copyright: © Guo et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.
  • Article Number: 33
    |
    Published online on: November 28, 2025
       https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2025.13028
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Abstract

The present study aimed to observe the progression of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and compare the clinical outcomes of anti‑vascular endothelial growth factor (anti‑VEGF) therapy, laser photocoagulation and vitrectomy in a real‑world setting, to inform treatment strategies. The present prospective, observational study enrolled 371 patients (466 eyes) with DR who were followed for over 3 years at Xi'an Bright Eye Hospital (Xi'an, China). Patients received treatment with anti‑VEGF, laser, combined therapy or vitrectomy based on their clinical condition. Best‑corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central subfield thickness (CST) and incidence of complications were evaluated. The anti‑VEGF group demonstrated a significantly greater improvement in BCVA and a reduction in CST compared with the laser group. Eyes with early‑stage DR required fewer anti‑VEGF injections to achieve stability than those with advanced disease. In eyes with low vision, the anti‑VEGF group had a lower incidence of tractional retinal detachment but a higher rate of persistent macular edema compared with those in the laser group. For stages 4‑5 DR, the rate of vision improvement was similar between anti‑VEGF therapy and vitrectomy. In conclusion, anti‑VEGF therapy is generally superior to laser in improving visual and anatomical outcomes. However, treatment strategies should be individualized based on disease stage and specific complications, with anti‑VEGF favoring traction prevention and laser potentially offering better control for recurrent edema in some cases.
View Figures

Figure 1

Schematic of comparative outcomes of
anti-VEGF, laser and combined therapies in DR, illustrating
differences in BCVA, CST, recurrence of macular edema and incidence
of tractional retinal detachment. VEGF, vascular endothelial growth
factor; BCVA, best corrected visual acuity; CST, central subfield
thickness; DR, diabetic retinopathy.

Figure 2

Changes in BCVA and CST in eyes
treated with anti-VEGF therapy, laser therapy and combined therapy.
BCVA, best corrected visual acuity; VEGF, vascular endothelial
growth factor; CST, central subfield thickness.
View References

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Copy and paste a formatted citation
Spandidos Publications style
Guo Y, Yang R, Li Y, Guo C and Liang H: Outcomes of anti‑VEGF therapy compared with conventional interventions in diabetic retinopathy management. Exp Ther Med 31: 33, 2026.
APA
Guo, Y., Yang, R., Li, Y., Guo, C., & Liang, H. (2026). Outcomes of anti‑VEGF therapy compared with conventional interventions in diabetic retinopathy management. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 31, 33. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2025.13028
MLA
Guo, Y., Yang, R., Li, Y., Guo, C., Liang, H."Outcomes of anti‑VEGF therapy compared with conventional interventions in diabetic retinopathy management". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 31.2 (2026): 33.
Chicago
Guo, Y., Yang, R., Li, Y., Guo, C., Liang, H."Outcomes of anti‑VEGF therapy compared with conventional interventions in diabetic retinopathy management". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 31, no. 2 (2026): 33. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2025.13028
Copy and paste a formatted citation
x
Spandidos Publications style
Guo Y, Yang R, Li Y, Guo C and Liang H: Outcomes of anti‑VEGF therapy compared with conventional interventions in diabetic retinopathy management. Exp Ther Med 31: 33, 2026.
APA
Guo, Y., Yang, R., Li, Y., Guo, C., & Liang, H. (2026). Outcomes of anti‑VEGF therapy compared with conventional interventions in diabetic retinopathy management. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 31, 33. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2025.13028
MLA
Guo, Y., Yang, R., Li, Y., Guo, C., Liang, H."Outcomes of anti‑VEGF therapy compared with conventional interventions in diabetic retinopathy management". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 31.2 (2026): 33.
Chicago
Guo, Y., Yang, R., Li, Y., Guo, C., Liang, H."Outcomes of anti‑VEGF therapy compared with conventional interventions in diabetic retinopathy management". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 31, no. 2 (2026): 33. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2025.13028
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