Abstract: Objective To explore the possible correlation between haptoglobin gene polymorphism and diabetic retinopathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods A total of 418 type 2 diabetes patients were assigned into 3 groups: non diabetic retinopathy (NDR) group, non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) group and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) group. The 100 healthy individuals with matched age and sex and serving as control. The Hp genotypes and phenotypes were determined. Results There was no significant difference in Hp genotype and allele frequencies among groups (P>0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that diabetes duration, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol and 24-hour urinary albumin were the independent risk factors for diabetic retinopathy (P<0.05). There was no correlation between Hp polymorphism and DR. (P>0.05). Conclusion Hp polymorphism may not be associated with the presence of DR in Tianjin population.