OBJECTIVE:To investigate the value of psychophysical testing for the macular function in the diegnosis of diabetic retinopathy(DR). METHODS:To compare the testing results of macular light sensitivity and pattern visual evoked potential(P-VEP)of 30 eyes of 15 normal person with those of 82 eyes of 41 diabetic patients(27 eyes without DR,55 eyes with simple type DR ). RESULTS:The macular light sensitivity of diabetic patients is much lower than that of normal Control group(plt;0.05). In the diabetic group, 62.19% is abnormal in macular light sensitivity, 69.51% in P-VEP. CONCLUSION: Testing of macular light sensitivit y is helpful in finding of diabetic retinopathy and early deterioration of macular visual function in diabetics. （Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,1996,12: 223-224）