Neovascularization is an important feature of PDR, thus anti-VEGF agents have become a promising therapy for PDR.[12] So far, anti-VEGF therapy has shown poor efficacy for diabetic macular edema (DME), another major factor affecting the prognosis of PDR,[13] and this phenomenon is likely to be related to individual genetic differences. Here, VEGFA is linked to diabetic macular edema.