Objective To study relationship between hemoglobin-AGE (Hb-AGE) levels and diabetic retinopathy (DR) in diabetics. Methods Hb-AGE content of 125 type 2 diabetic patients with or without DR was measured by competitive ELISA technique and compared with that of 50 normal controls. Results Hb-AGE level in type 2 diabetic patients was 65% higher than that in normal individuals (Plt;0.01), and Hb-AGE level in the patients with DR was significantly higher than patients with DR was significantly higher than that in those without DR (Plt;0.05). It was found that fasting plasma glucose (FPG) level was not directly correlated with Bb-AGE levels and development of DR ,but HbAc,plasma lipid and blood pressure were related to the both (Plt;0.05 or Plt;0.01). Multivariate analysis showed that there was closer relationship between seriousness degree of DR and Hb-AGE (partial correlation coefficient was 0.604,Plt;0.001). Conclusion Diabetic control is related to alterations in vivo Hb-AGE,which may contribute to occurrence and developement of DR in type 2 diabetes mellitus. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,2000,16:147-149)