AIM: To explore the changes of the serum level of basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF),vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) in diabetic patients and to investigate the role of bFGF,VEGF in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy(DR)·METHODS:Serum samples of DR patients with cataract were collected.The serum samples from the non-diabetic patients with cataract were chosen as the control.The serum level of the bFGF,VEGF protein was analysed by ELISA method·RESULTS: The levels of serum VEGF and bFGF were significantly higher in patients with DR than those in controls(P<0.01);The serum levels of VEGF and bFGF in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy(PDR) were significantly higher than those in non-PDR patients(P<0.05).The serum levels of VEGF and bFGF were associated with the severity degree of DR.Positive correlations were found between bFGF and VEGF(r=0.419,P<0.01)·CONCLUSION: bFGF and VEGF play an active role in the generation and development of DR and has a close relation with the neovascularization of the advanced stage of DR.