Abstract: 【Abstract】 Accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGE) is closely involved with the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy. It can increase the expression of receptor of AGE (RAGE) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and induce the apoptosis in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells.  RPE cells, constituting the retinal outer barrier, are extremely important in maintaining the physiological function of retina through the functions of barrier, filtering, phagocytosis and secreting. The dysfunction of RPE cells can lead to several retinal diseases. This article mainly summarizes the damage of RPE cells by AGE in resent researches and discusses the role of RPE cells in the development and progress of diabetic retinopathy, in order to find a new treatment way for DR. (Int Rev Ophthalmol, 2012, 36: 383-386）