Diabetic retinopathy requires a combination of treatments through good control of blood glucose, blood pressure, and lipids, and may require treatment through laser photocoagulation, intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor, and corticosteroids when necessary. Good control of blood glucose, blood pressure, and blood lipids can prevent or delay the progression of diabetic retinopathy; laser photocoagulation remains the mainstay of treatment for patients with high-risk proliferative diabetic retinopathy and for some patients with severe nonproliferative retinopathy; and intravitreal injections of anti-angiogenic endothelial growth factor are indicated for vision-threatening diabetic macular edema. Topical application of corticosteroids is also used for vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy and macular edema. Sudden blindness or retinal detachment requires immediate referral to ophthalmology for specialist care. Patients with diabetic retinopathy should follow strict medical advice for standardized treatment to avoid delays.