·AIM:To discuss the applied value of the methods of the direct examination of the glass(DEG),the colored photograph of the fundus(CPF)and the fundus fluorescein angiography(FFA)in diagnosing the diabetic macular edema(DME).·METHODS:After distributing pupils,50 cases 100 eyes were checked with the methods of DEG,CPF and FFA.FFA was taken as the golden standard,and the results of DEG and CPF were compared with that of FFA.·RESULTS:Totally 45 eyes(45%)of 100 eyes(50 cases)were found with DME by FFA.However,10 eyes(10%)were found by DEG and 35 eyes(35%)found by CPF.The result of DEG was quite different from that of FFA(kappa=0.239,P=0.00),while the result of CPF was similar to that of FFA(kappa=0.794,P=0.00)and had significantly statistical difference.·CONCLUSION:These three methods can be used in diagnosing diabetic macular edema in some extent.CPF and FFA have the higher similarity.Therefore,the method of CPF is more suitable for those hospitals without FFA examination.·