AIM:To investigate the clinical value and law of electrocardiogram(ECG) changes in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with diabetic retinopathy(DR). METHODS:The study was based on 113 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in the ophthalmology department of our hospital between June 2009 and March 2011, who were diagnosed with DR. A retrospective analysis were made on the clinical data of ECG, triglyceride, cholesterol and glycosylated hemoglobin. RESULTS:ST segment and T-wave abnormalities in ECGs were the major abnormalities. 25 cases (61.0%) in non-proliferative DR and 59 cases (81.9%) in proliferative DR had ECG abnormality. The difference was significant. Cases percentage in proliferation stage of DR patients with abnormal ECG was significantly higher than those of normal ECG group. Compared with normal ECG group, abnormal ECG group is also associated with higher average glycosylated hemoglobin. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.01). The difference of triglyceride and cholesterol levels between abnormal and normal ECG groups was not significant. CONCLUSION:As a severe complication in eyes, DR is associated with cardiovascular system diseases and the poor glycemia control.