SynthesisFrontiers in endocrinology2025
Evaluating the efficacy of subthreshold micropulse laser combined with anti-VEGF drugs in the treatment of diabetic macular edema: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Synthesis in Frontiers in endocrinology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
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Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed.
- Anatomical and Systemic Predictors of Early Response to Subthreshold Micropulse Laser in Diabetic Macular Edema: A Retrospective Cohort Study.Journal of clinical medicine · 2026Article
- Research advances in the translational application of anti-VEGF combined with subthreshold micropulse laser therapy for refractory diabetic macular edema.American journal of translational research · 2026Review
- Disproportionality Analysis of Intravitreal Ranibizumab, Aflibercept, and Brolucizumab for Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Events.Journal of clinical pharmacology · 2026Article
- Efficacy of Early Postoperative Subthreshold Micropulse Laser Therapy in Preventing Persistent Macular Oedema in Patients After Epiretinal Membrane Surgery.Biomedicines · 2025Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
3 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Objective: To compare the clinical efficacy of subthreshold micropulse laser (SML) combined with anti-VEGF drugs versus anti-VEGF drugs monotherapy for diabetic macular edema (DME) through a meta-analysis. Methods: We systematically reviewed relevant literature from electronic databases and extracted key outcomes, including best corrected visual acuity (BCVA)-comprising ETDRS and LogMAR measures, central macular thickness (CMT), annual frequency of anti-VEGF injections, annual SML applications, and associated complications for both treatment groups at postoperative intervals of 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Results: A total of 13 relevant studies were included in this review, including 405 eyes in the experimental group (SML combined with anti-VEGF drugs intravitreal injections) and 400 eyes in the control group (anti-VEGF drugs monotherapy). The results showed no significant difference in ETDRS visual acuity between the two groups at any time point (P > 0.05). However, LogMAR visual acuity significantly improved in the experimental group compared to controls at both 6 and 12 months post-treatment (P < 0.05). Subgroup analysis based on baseline CMT values indicated that patients with baseline CMT < 400 µm had significantly more reduced CMT across all observation points in the experimental group (P < 0.05). Conversely, no significant differences in CMT were found among those with baseline CMT ≥ 400 µm (P > 0.05). Additionally, annual intravitreal injection frequency of anti-VEGF drugs was significantly reduced in the experimental group compared to the controls (P < 0.05). The average numbers of SML applications per year ranged from 1.41 ± 0.37 to 3.4 ± 1.4 times (range: 1-4 times). Common postoperative complications included mild subconjunctival hemorrhage, a light ocular inflammatory reaction, and/or ocular surface discomfort. Conclusion: Compared to anti-VEGF drugs monotherapy, combining SML with anti-VEGF drugs can improve visual acuity and reduce macular edema among DME patients-especially those with central macular thickness < 400 µm. The combined approach also reduces anti-VEGF drugs intravitreal injection frequency, and repeated use of SML can alleviate economic burdens on patients. Systematic review registration: https://inplasy.com, identifier INPLASY2024120068.
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