The pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy (DR) is complex. Antisense non-coding RNA (ANRIL) in the INK4 locus in long-chain non-coding RNA (lncRNA) is closely related to cell proliferation, differentiation, and individual development. It plays an important role in the dysplasia of retinal vascular endothelial cells and is a new field in the study of the pathogenesis of DR. According to the researches at present, ANRIL may plays its role in the occurrence and development of DR through the signal pathway of nuclear factor-κB and ROS/polyadenylation diphosphate ribose polymerase, and interact with p300, miR-200b, and EZH2 to regulating the expression and function of VEGF. Specific blocking ANRIL and its related pathways may become a new target in the treatment of DR.