Conbercept versus Aflibercept in Diabetic Retinopathy: A Comparison of Efficacy When Combined with Micropulse Laser

Objective To compare the efficacy of conbercept versus aflibercept, each combined with micropulse laser, in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy (DR). Methods A prospective single-blind controlled study was conducted. A total of 150 DR patients treated at The First People’s Hospital of Yibin from January 2022 to December 2024 were enrolled. They were randomly assigned via a computer-generated random number table to an intervention group (n= 75, treated with conbercept plus micropulse laser) and a control group (n= 75, treated with aflibercept plus micropulse laser). The total effective rate, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT), serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and erythropoietin (EPO), and the incidence of complications were compared between the two groups. Results There was no statistically significant difference in the total clinical effective rate between the two groups (P ＞0.05). The intervention group showed lower BCVA than the control group at 7 days, 1 month and 6 months after the operation (P ＜ 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in CMT between the two groups at 7 days, 1 month and 6 months after the operation (P ＞ 0.05). The serum levels of VEGF and EPO in the intervention group 7 days after the operation were lower than those of the control group (P ＜ 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in serum levels of VEGF and EPO between the two groups one month after the operation (P ＞ 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the total incidence of complications between the two groups (P ＞ 0.05). Conclusion Both conbercept and aflibercept, when combined with micropulse laser, show significant therapeutic effects for DR. However, conbercept appears to offer a more pronounced improvement in visual acuity.