Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a common ocular complication in diabetic patients, which is chronic and progressive and seriously impairs visual acuity. The rapid occurrence and progress of cataract in diabetic patients is also one of the important reasons for visual impairment in DR patients. Compared with non-diabetic patients, diabetic patients have higher risk of complications after cataract surgery. Studies have shown that anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy after cataract surgery can prevent the aggravation of diabetic macular edema in DR patients. However, due to the lack of systematic review of the clinical effect of anti-VEGF drugs in DR patients undergoing cataract surgery, the use of anti-VEGF drugs is relatively conservative in clinic. It is believed that with the deepening of research and the progress of clinical trials, the wide application of anti-VEGF drugs in clinical practice is expected to provide more accurate and effective treatment for DR patients in the future.