Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of common and specific microvascular complications caused by diabetic mellitus, and remains a serious and common ocular complication leading preventable blindness. At present, the specific pathogenesis of DR is not completely clear, and many factors are involved in its occurrence and development. Adiponectin (APN) is an endogenous cytokine secreted by adipocytes. It is expressed in all layers of retina, especially in the outer layer (rods and cones). It is involved in regulating fatty acid oxidation and glucose metabolism by binding with specific receptors. In recent years, a lot of studies have found that APN can be involved in regulating blood glucose, inhibiting neovascularization, reducing inflammation, dilating blood vessels and improving vascular endothelial function. At present, the specific mechanism of APN in the occurrence and development of DR Remains to be determined. Further research on the level changes and the specific mechanism of action of APN in DR may help to identify the characteristic metabolic changes of DR, thus providing new biomarkers for the diagnosis of DR, while helping to promote the innovation of the treatment of DR.