ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To objectively assess the effect of Qiming Granule in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy (DR) by fluorescence fundus angiography (FFA).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In a multi-center, randomized, parallel controlled clinical trial, patients with DR were randomly assigned to the control group (calcium dobesilate capsule) and the test group (Qiming Granule). Changes in the retinal blood circulation time were recorded by FFA after 3 months of medication.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Significant reduction was observed in the retinal arterio-venous circulation time (AVCT) in both groups (P<0.01), the value was 7.635+/-3.149 s before treatment and 5.165 +/-3.382 s after treatment in the treated group, and 7.737+/-3.413 s and 5.313+/-3.472 s in the control group respectively. Qiming Granule also reduced the arm-to-retinal circulation time (ARCT, P<0.05). The value was 17.867+/-3.872 s before treatment and 15.643+/-4.648 s after treatment in the treated group, and 17.217+/-3.833 s and 16.312+/-3.613 s in the control group (P>0.05) respectively. The ARCT in the tested group was reduced, with a statistically significant difference post-medication (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>As a Chinese medicine complex prescription, Qiming Granule may alleviate retinal hypoxia and ischemia by increasing retinal blood flow and improving the blood circulation.</p>