Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the widespread microvascular consequence of diabetes mellitus
and the most common effect of blindness in people with diabetes. Existing drugs are only effective in
advanced stages of DR, and long-term efficacy and safety results for these treatments have yet to be
clarified in multiple clinical trials. Furthermore, a more trustworthy and effective medication that may
be deemed more advantageous in managing DR is unavoidable. Polyphenols, which are plant-derived
chemical compounds, may be helpful in the initial stages of DR treatment. Compounds rich in
polyphenols have been shown to slow the progression of long-term consequences of diabetes, for
example, heart disease, nerve damage, kidney damage, and retinopathy. Polyphenols could be used
instead of traditional treatments to halt the disease's progression. It has been proposed that in vitro
investigations on the effects of polyphenols on ocular vision physiology and antioxidant protection have
a substantial bearing on this assertion. Among the benefits of polyphenols are scavenging the free
radicals, lowering the production of advanced glycation end products, inhibiting aldose reductase, anti-
inflammatory activity, and affecting ocular blood flow. The present review discussed the significance
of polyphenols in preclinical and clinical research of DR-affected cellular and molecular pathways.