The relationship between intracellular hyperglycemia, changes in oxidative - reductive homeostasis, the onset of oxidative stress, reduction of antioxidant defense and increased production of VEGF are considered to be key events in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy. Research goals: 1. To determine concentrations of: vascular endothelial growth factor, markers of oxidative stress and antioxidant system in the vitreous humor and serum. 2. To determine the correlation between these parameters in the vitreous and serum. 3. Based on the results of the correlation of the measured experimental parameters, predict the ability to diagnose retinopathy changes based on serum values. Research Methods: The examined variables were measured in samples of vitreous and serum of patients and experimental animals with pronounced proliferative diabetic retinopathy and of control group of patients and experimental animals without incidence of oxidative stress. All parameters were analyzed by standardized laboratory methods and the obtained values were statistically evaluated. Data correlations between observed groups were presented by the Spearman correlation coefficient. Results: The results showed elevated markers of oxidative stress in the eye and systemic circulation, reduced antioxidant capacity in the vitreous humor and increased antioxidant capacity in diabetic patients with PDR. Conclusion: In diabetic patients, monitoring of serum parameters (Lipid Peroxidation, Superoxide Dismutase and VEGF), can be used to indirectly evaluate the oxidative status inside the eye, and thus the formation/progression of diabetic retinopathy before clinical manifestation of changes in the eye.