Objective: To investigate the independent risk factors related to the development of diabetic retinopathy (DR) for type 2 diabetic patients. Methods: A case-control study containing 82 DR patients and 86 diabetics patients without DR (NDR) was performed from January,2009 to December,2010. The clinical parameter and biochemical indicators were compared between the two groups. Conditional Logistic regression analysis was further performed to assess variables independently associated with the DR developing. Results: In the univariate analysis,duration of diabetes,HbA1c,diastolic blood pressure and retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) were significant between DR and NDR. Logistic regression analysis showed that duration of diabetes(OR=2.41;95%CI:1.12~5.18),lipoprotein (a)(OR=2.22;95% CI:1.15~4.31) and RBP4 (OR=2.95;95% CI:1.54~5.65) were significant and independent predictors of the DR developing. Conclusion: These data suggest that duration of diabetes,lipoprotein (a) and RBP4 level are independent risk factors for the development of DR in type 2 diabetics.