AIM:To investigate the correlation of vascular endothelial factor(VEGF)I/D gene polymorphism with diabetic retinopathy(DR)in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

METHODS: The 91 patients with diabetes and 30 control cases which VEGF I/D genotypes and VEGF level were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP).

RESULTS: The DD genotype frequencies were significantly higher in NPDR and PDR groups than in groups of NDR and control(P<0.01); The VEGF level were significantly higher in NPDR and PDR groups than in groups of NDR and normal control(P<0.01).

CONCLUSION: VEGF I/D gene polymorphism is associated with the development of diabetic retinopathy; D allele is probably a susceptible gene of diabetic retinopathy.