Much of the information regarding the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy (DR) has been derived through studies involving experimental animal models. The relevance of this approach using animal models hinges on the observation that results obtained through cell culture experiments require verification at the in vivo level. Pathological changes in DR have been studied using various animal models, genetic variants, chemical-induced variants, diet-induced variants and others. While these experimental models have certainly contributed to our understanding of DR pathology and subsequent drug development, some limitations in using these models exist. This presentation will focus on commonly used animal models and discuss their pros and cons in understanding cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying DR development.