Aim To study the influence of probucol on the type 2 diabetic mellitus patients with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy(NPDR) about blood lipids,antioxidant capacity,visual function and retinal morphology,so as to provide clinical basis for the prevention and treatment of early DR by probucol. Methods 66 type 2 diabetes patients with 127 NPDR eyes were included.Patients were randomly divided into control and treatment groups: the control group were treated by intensive therapy of blood glucose and blood pressure control,the treatment group were treated with the intensive therapy and probucol 0.375 g,2 times a day for 12 months.Before and after treatment,the their blood lipids,serum level of the total antioxidant capacity(TAOC),visual acuity,fundus,and fundus fluorescein angiography in both group were checked. Results There were 62 cases 120 eyes completed the study.Probucol obviously decreased levels of total cholesterol(TC),triglyceride(TG) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDLC) in plasma of the patients.Levels of TAOC and the visual acuity was significantly improved in the probucol group(P><0.01) than that of control group,and the retinal capillary hemangioma,fundus bleeding and exudation,and macular edema were significantly decreased in patients of the probucol group(P><0.05).Probucol also has a role in reduction of capillary non-perfusion areas in the diabetic retina. Conclusion Probucol can not only regulate serum lipids,but also have the action of improving antioxidant capacity.It can improve the visual function,ameliorate retinal's microangiopathy,and decrease the incidence of macular edema.It means that probucol has a therapeutic effect in patients with NDPR.