Purpose To clarify the relationship between diabetic retinopathy (DR) and maculopathy (DM) and explore the clinical implication of independent graduation of DM. Methods Fundus fluorescein angiography and routine ophthalmological examination were performed on 582 cases of diabetes.Their ocular fundi and macular impairments were graded. Results In general,the severity of diabetic macular impairment was accompanied by retinal involvement,but discrepancy existed between DM and DR.Degree I DM occurred in 5.4% (16/294) among cases without DR,in stage IV DR,degree Ⅲ DM accounted for the most part ,54.5% (116/213).There were still 5.1% (2/39) cases without DM in stage Ⅴ DR. Conclusion The degree of the macular lesions in DM is often not in parallel with the gradation of general affections in retinal tissue other than in macular region in DR,therefore,independentg radation of diabetic maculopathy has its clinical significance for choosing the optimal period of treating maculopathy and preserving the macular function. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,2000,16:153-154)