Diabetic retinopathy(DR)is a microvascular and neurological complication of diabetes mellitus. Oxidative stress is an important pathogenic mechanism for the occurrence of DR. Autophagy is a crucial regulatory mechanism of cells under both physiologic and pathologic conditions. It can maintain intracellular homeostasis by degrading redundant or damaged proteins and organelles in cells. Prior studies have documented that there is a strong connection between autophagy and oxidative stress of DR. This article reviewed previous findings regarding the specific relationship between autophagy and oxidative stress in DR, including early microvascular lesions, neuropathy and other pathological changes. The aim of this review is to provide new ideas to clarify the pathogenesis of DR.