Diabetic retinopathy(DR)is the most common complication of diabetes mellitus and remains the leading cause of blindness in working-age population. DR affects almost all the retinal cells, leading to the disruption and dysfunction of neurovascular unit and the neural-glial network. Erythropoietin(EPO), a glycoprotein hormone, plays a pivotal role in neuroprotection, neurotrophy, anti-inflammation, anti-apoptosis and anti-oxidation etc., in various central nervous system diseases. This review discussed the protective effect of EPO in DR so as to provide new options for DR treatment.