Pan-retinal photocoagulation (PRP) and macular photocoagulation (MPC) are the gold standard treatments for proliferative diabetic retinopathy (DR) and diabetic macular edema. With the development of equipment and technology advancement, photocoagulation has been gradually applied in many Eye Centers all over China. However, there are still several problems such as no standardized guideline and undesirable therapeutic effects. In this article we will summarize the indications and techniques of photocoagulation, and when and how to apply drug treatments for retinal diseases; aim at improving the criterion and clinical effects of photocoagulation.