Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the leading causes of blindness in workingaged people, of which diabetic macular edema (DME) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) are the two main causes of visionthreatening. Through the regular screening of patients with diabetes, the risk factors of DR can be identified and proper interventions can prevent the incidence of DR. Timely retinal laser photocoagulation and application of the reninangiotensin system inhibitors (candesartan or fibrates), lipidlowering drug fenofibrate can inhibit DR progress. Macula local and (or) grid pattern photocoagulation or in combination with bevacizumab intravitreal injection can effectively relief DME. In regard to late PDR, vitrectomy could restore or retain useful vision, importantly, minimally invasive 23G vitrectomy and preoperative bevacizumab intravitreal injection greatly improved the surgical outcomes. However DR pathogenesis is not entirely clear. Also there is a lack of effective and feasible DR screening strategy in China. Furthermore existing evidencebased data of medical and surgical treatment of DR is insufficient. Therefore, the DR prevention and treatment is still a long way to go in China.

Citation： Zhi Zheng. Prevention and treatment of diabetic retinopathy: progress, challenges and future prospects. Chinese Journal of Ocular Fundus Diseases, 2012, 28(3): 209-213. doi: Copy