RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: to develop a guideline available to the staff of the second and third level of medical care, that includes recommendations based on the best available evidence about diagnosis and management of diabetic retinopathy (DR). METHODS: clinical questions were formulated and structured. A standardized sequence was established to search for practice guidelines from the clinical questions raised on diagnosis and treatment of DR. The working group searched clinical practice guidelines and found eleven on this topic. For recommendations not included in the reference guide, the search process was conducted in PubMed and Cochrane Library. The results were expressed as levels of evidence and grade of recommendation. CONCLUSIONS: in Mexico diabetic retinopathy is a main cause of blindness in the active working population. It is necessary to establish a program for detection of at-risk population that allow make early diagnosis and opportune management for reducing blindness in patients. It is equally important to be aware of the need for long-term good metabolic control, which is associated with better quality of life.