〔Abstract〕 Objective To analyze the difference in clinical stages for patients with diabetic retinopathy(DR) through monitoring the area of foveal avascular zone(FAZ) and retinal microvessel density(MVD) by using optical coherence tomography angiography(OCTA). Methods 232 patients(260 eyes) with DR were divided into four groups according to the international staging criteria. Specifically,the patients were respectively categorized as mild non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy(NPDR) group(63 eyes),moderate NPDR group(64 eyes),Severe NPDR group(66 eyes) and hyperplastic diabetic retinopathy(PDR) stage Ⅳ group(67 eyes). The healthy subjects(60 eyes) were selected as the control group. The macular FAZ and MVD were measured using OCTA. At the same time,the glycated hemoglobin(HbAlc) and fasting plasma glucose(FPG) of the subjects were tested. The changes of FAZ and MVD in the surface and deep retinal capillary layers,and the changes of HbAlc,FPG were statistically analyzed and compared between the different groups. The correlation between the changes in FAZ,MVD and the progression of DR,the correlation between changes in HbAlc,FPG and MVD were established respectively.Results OCTA examination showed that FAZ gradually increased,while MVD gradually decreased in patients with DR,and that no perfusion area appeared in these patients. The levels of Hb Alc and FPG also gradually increased in each group with the development of DR. Statistical analysis showed that the differences between the control group and diabetes groups were significant(P<0.05). The same difference was found between the diabetes groups. Correlation coefficient showed that the expression of FAZ and MVD in the surface and deep retinal capillary layers were positively correlated with the progression of diabetes(P<0.05). The same positive correlation was found between HbAlc,FPG and MVD. Conclusion OCTA examination may show the changes in the microcirculation disturbance of the macular retina in diabetic patients,which can be used as a clinical indicator of DR staging.