Diabetic retinopathy(DR) is the most common retinal vascular disease. Although a variety of pathogenesis for DR was detected, it has not yet been fully clarified. Recent studies have found autophagy may play an important role in the pathogenesis of DR by changing intracellular homeostasis, oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, cell apoptosis and excessive autophagy. And improving autophagy or inhibiting excessive autophagy may have a potential value in the treatment of DR.(Int Rev Ophthalmol, 2016, 40: 395-399)