Laser photocoagulation, intravitreal injection of antibody against vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) or corticosteroids and pars plana vitrectomy are current popular therapeutic approaches for diabetic retinopathy (DR). However, some DR patients still progress to irreversible blindness even after the above treatments which do not aim at the pathological mechanisms and influence factors for DR. Thus, with the further elucidation on the molecular pathological mechanisms and overall understanding of the factors affecting DR development, more and more potential therapeutic interventions such as neuron protection, vascular reconstruction and protection, gene therapy, non-VEGF dependent anti-neovascularization agents have been explored. Individual precise therapy based on the potential therapeutic targets would provide the promising future for DR patients.