Diabetic retinopathy is generally divided into six stages, with the number of stages increasing as the severity of the disease progresses. 1. Stage 1: The earliest manifestation of diabetic retinopathy is that only a few microvessels and a few hemorrhages are visible. 2. Stage 2: In addition to microvessels, the patient develops hard exudates and hemorrhages in the retina. 3. Stage 3: The patient’s retina develops cotton-padded spots, irregular feather-like ischemic-hypoxic conditions, plus hard exudate spots with hemorrhages. 4. Stage 4: If the patient’s blood sugar is not well controlled and continues to deteriorate, he or she will enter the neovascularization stage, which is also the beginning of the proliferation stage. 5. Stage 5: The patient’s fundus retinal neovascularization ruptures, leading to vitreous blood accumulation and worsening vision loss. 6. Stage 6: The patient’s fundus hemorrhage worsens, and poor control can cause retinal detachment, and the patient may even become blind. It is recommended that patients with diabetic retinopathy consult a hospital in time to assess their condition and follow the doctor’s instructions for treatment.