Diabetic retinopathy (DR), the most common microvascular complication of diabetes, is the leading cause of irreversible vision loss among the working-age population worldwide. In China, the prevalence of DR among diabetic patients is approximately 16.3%, with a significantly higher proportion of vision-threatening stages compared to Western countries, underscoring the urgency and importance of early screening. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in medical quality control related to DR screening and clinical classification. Current challenges include insufficient screening coverage, low grading and evaluation rates, and delays in referral. Core quality control indicators are proposed, such as screening awareness, screening rate, high-risk patient identification rate, and referral timeliness. Key components of quality control include multidisciplinary collaboration, personnel training, equipment standardization, data integration, and the application of telemedicine and artificial intelligence technologies. By optimizing primary care resource allocation, strengthening quality control standards, and promoting technological innovation, early detection and timely treatment of DR can be achieved, ultimately reducing the risk of vision impairment.