Abstract: Objective To study the quality of life(QOL)in patients with diabetes mellitus(DM)and diabetic retinopathy(DR).Methods Using the SF-36 instrument combined with DSQL instrument to assess QOL among DM patients without DR(group DM),DR patients(group DR)and normal controls selected from community residents.All data were analyzed by SPSS.Results Scores in physical function(PF)(69.74±28.88),role-physical(RP)(70.72±43.28t),bodily pain(BP)(76.09±18.15)and general health(GH)(48.54±19.74)in SF-36 instrument of group DR were significant lower than that of normal adult,but score in mental health(MH)(77.89±14.54)was higher than that of normal adult.Scores in PF(72.81±22.85)and BP(75.32±19.32)in SF-36 instrument of group DM were significant lower than that of normal adult,but score in MH(72.82±17.9)was higher than that of normal adult.Total score of quality of life in group DR was distinct lower than that of common people group,especially in PF(69.03±11.07),GH(14.71±3.95),MH(54.66± 6.69),SF(26.68±2.95)and effect of treatment(12.74±1.75).Total score of quality of life in group DM was distinct lower than that of common people group,especially in PF(72.19±9.26),MH(53.99±7.20),SF(26.25±2.99)and effect of treatment(13.12±1.72).Although there were no remarkable difference in total score,score of SF-36 or DSQL instrument,group DR had lower score in PF(45.08±7.40)of DSQL instrument.Conclusion The QOL among patients with diabetes mellitus and diabetic retinopathy declines obviously.