Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes which is difficult to reverse and can result in blindness. Ophthalmologists in China are facing quite a challenge according to the weak prevention and treatment system of DR. At present, the emphasis should be placed on the early prevention and treatment, but the appropriate guidelines founded on evidence-based medicine still have been absent. Currently, we should deeply realize the problems existing in early prevention and treatment of DR in China, fully recognize the necessity and importance of it, actively spread the new international classification, adopt the ways of public health, start by primary health care and fully cooperate with different fields of the society to strengthen the practice and research work on the early prevention and treatment of DR.