Promoting effects of Difrarel® on retinal function following panretinal photocoagulation in diabetic retinopathy

Objective

To investigate the promoting effect of Difrarel^® on retinal function following panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) in the eyes with diabetic retinopathy.

Methods

A non-randomized controlled study was performed.A total of 108 eyes of 108 patients with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) were enrolled in Tongren Ophthalmology Center and Beijing Daxing District People’s Hospital from December 2014 to February 2020.The patients were divided into PRP group and PRP+ Difrarel^® group according to different therapies under patients’ selection.Difrarel^® was orally administered after PRP in 56 patients of PRP+ Difrarel^® group, and only PRP was given in 52 patients of PRP group.The visual acuity, 30°~60° circular visual field and multifocal electroretinogram were examined before and 1 day, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months after PRP.The central macular thickness (CMT) was measured by optical coherence tomography, and fundus neovascularization was observed by fluorescein fundus angiography at 6 and 12 months after PRP.The study protocol was approved by an Ethics Committee of Beijing Daxing District People’s Hospital (No.2021-F4).

Results

Visual improvement rate was 57.14% (32/56) and 32.69% (17/52) in PRP+ Difrarel^® group and PRP group at the end of following-up, respectively, showing a significant difference between two groups (χ²=3.56, P<0.05). The visual field mean sensitivity was significantly different at different time points in two groups (F_group=4.77, P<0.05; F_time=6.51, P<0.05), and was lower after PRP than those before treatment in both groups (both at P<0.05), and was significantly higher in PRP+ Difrarel^® group than PRP group at 3, 6, 12 months after PRP (all at P<0.05). The P1 amplitude density in 3 to 5 rings in PRP+ Difrarel^® group were higher than those in PRP group, and the differences were statistically significant (all at P<0.05). There was no significant difference in CMT between the two groups at different time points (F_group=3.57, P>0.05; F_time=1.23, P>0.05). No new blood vessels and non-perfusion area were found in both groups.

Conclusions

Oral Difrarel^® can improve retinal function after PRP in the eyes with NPDR.

Diabetic retinopathy/therapy; Laser photocoagulation; Postoperative complications; Retina/physiological function; Anthocyanin