Diabetic retinopathy (DR), a neurovascular complication of diabetes, presents a multifaceted pathogenesis that encompasses numerous biological processes and molecular mechanisms. Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) plays a critical role in the maintenance of cellular homeostasis, and diabetic neuro-microangiopathy is driven by high glucose, which activated ERS through the promotion of protein misfolding, oxidative stress, and disturbances in calcium homeostasis. ERS activates the unfolded protein response, thereby influencing the onset and progression of DR through modulating mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes, autophagy, apoptosis, microvascular function, oxidative stress, and inflammation pathways. Currently, the principal interventions against ERS comprise the modulation of the ERS signalling axis and its interactions with associated pathological processes such as autophagy, oxidative stress, and inflammation, through pharmacological and molecular mechanisms. These interventions are directly or indirectly shown to inhibit persistent ERS and are demonstrated to ameliorate DR. With the in-depth study of ERS and the research and development of various drugs for ERS, it is expected to bring novel insights and strategies for DR management in the future.