A review of the literature on the classification of diabetic retinopathy shows that a consensus of opinions is not attained. Therefore it is impossible to compare the results of different works. Most of the classifications are based on purely anatomical criteria (ophthalmoscopic or photographic). The authors propose to base the classification of diabetic retinopathy on angiographic criteria. They consider that only fluorescein angiography can take into consideration the functional evaluation of the retinal circulation with unquestionable pathogenic correlation and adapted treatment: edematous diabetic retinopathy corresponds to capillary dilatation and ischemic diabetic retinopathy corresponds to capillary occlusion. Macular diseases are classified according to these same criteria.