AIM:To determine the prevalence and incidence of diabetic retinopathy(DR) and to investigate the epidemiological characteristics as well as associated risk factors in the elderly people with early diagnosis and rational treatment in Beijing area. METHODS:A survey was conducted among cases of diabetes diagnosed in general hospital from May 2000 to May 2006,the diagnosis of DR was confirmed by ophthalmoscopy and fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA),multivariate analysis was used to show the risk factors for development of DR in 5 years. RESULTS:Totally 2194 individuals of diabetes were performed DR screening,the average follow-up duration was 5.8 years.The prevalence of DR increased slightly from 15.38%in 2000 to 16.20%in 2006;the incidence of DR was 8.38‰/year.Logistic regression test showed fasting plasma glucose(FPG),body mass index(BMI), mean arterial blood pressure(MBP),microalbunminuria (MAU) and duration were risk factors related to the incidence of DR. CONCLUSION:The prevalence and incidence of DM in the elderly people are significantly higher than that in general population,but their prevalence and incidence of DR are notably lower than that in general population,it confirms that DR could be controlled if FPG,BMI,MBP and MAU maintained good condition.