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Background: Diabetic retinopathy, which is one of the microvascular complications, has been shown to be related to visual disturbance and blindness. In this report we examined the risk factors for diabetic retinopathy in NIDDM patients and investigate the relationship between the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy and other risk factors. Methods: Clinical characteristics and laboratory findings such as HbAlc, fasting plasma glucose, hemoglobin, BUN, creatinine and lipid profile and treatment modality were evaluated and their relation with diabetic retinopathv were analyzed. Fundoscopic examinations of the retina were performed using direct/indirect opthalmoscopy and fundus photograph. The grade of retinopathy was judged from the results of opthalmological examinations and were elassified into non-proliferative retinopathy and proliferative retinopathy. Results: A total of 163 patients with NIDDM (M/F=59:104) were evaluated. Of these patients, 80 of them developed diabetic retinopathy. 71 patients were detected to have non-proliferatie and 9 patients to have proliferative retinopathy. The presence of proteinuria, the long diabetic duration, hypertension, anemia, the high plasma glucose levels, the high level of HbA1c, old age were all associated with the development of diabetic retinopathy. I-lowever, sex, body mass index, type of therapy, lipid profile, C-peptide levels, insulin levels had little impact on the development of retinopathy. Conclusions: The presence of proteinuria, the long diabetic duration, hypertension, anemia, high plasma glucose levels, high HbA., and old age are important risk factors for the development of rc;tinopathy in patients with NIDDM.