observation on the efficacy of α-lipoic acid capsules combined with conbercept intravitreal injection in the treatment of diabetic macular edema

Abstract Objective To investigate the safety and efficacy of α-lipoic acid capsules combined with conbercept intravitreal injection in the treatment of diabetic macular edema. Methods A total of 123 patients with 123 eyes diagnosed with diabetic macular edema who visited our hospital from January 2023 to December 2023 were included in this study. Patients were divided into three groups based on treatment regimens: a placebo control group (n=37), a conbercept intravitreal injection group (IVC) (n=42), and a conbercept intravitreal injection combined with α-lipoic acid capsule treatment group (n=44). All patients in each group were followed up for 12 months, and changes in biological indicators such as best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central foveal thickness (CFT), microaneurysm (MA) count, superoxide dismutase (SOD) content in aqueous humor, ganglion cell layer (GCL) thickness, hard exudate (HE) area, and hemorrhage area were compared before and after treatment. Results In the IVC group and the combination therapy group, BCVA, CFT, and MA count showed significant improvements at 6 and 12 months post-treatment compared to pre-treatment levels (P < 0.05). while the control group showed no significant changes before and after treatment (P > 0.05). The levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the combined treatment group significantly increased at 6 and 12 months post-treatment compared to pre-treatment levels (P < 0.05), while the IVC group and the placebo control group showed no significant changes compared to pre-treatment levels (P > 0.05); the thickness of the ganglion cell layer in all three groups showed no significant improvement at 6 months and 12 months post-treatment compared to pre-treatment levels (P > 0.05); the area of hard exudates in all three groups improved at 6 months and 12 months post-treatment compared to pre-treatment levels, with statistically significant differences observed in the IVC group and combined therapy group compared to pre-treatment levels (P < 0.05); the hemorrhage area in all three groups improved at 6 and 12 months post-treatment compared to pre-treatment levels, with statistically significant differences observed (P < 0.05). Conclusion In addition to significantly improving visual acuity, reducing foveal thickness, decreasing the number of microaneurysms, and reducing hemorrhagic and hard exudative areas, the addition of α-lipoic acid capsules to conbercept therapy in patients with DME enhances overall efficacy and increases SOD levels in the aqueous humor, making it worthy of clinical application.