Drinkwater JJ, Chen FK, Brooks AM, et al. - Whether there exists an independent link of both macrovascular disease (evaluated by carotid ultrasonography) and arterial stiffness (by pulse wave velocity) with diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetes, was investigated in this sub‐study with participants from the Fremantle Diabetes Study Phase II. Diabetic retinopathy was detected in 82 (16%) of 524 assessable eyes. Age at diabetes diagnosis (inversely), HbA_1c, insulin treatment and urinary albumin to creatinine ratio, as well as carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) and common carotid artery (CCA) intima–media thickness (IMT) ≥1 mm were identified as significant independent associates of diabetic retinopathy, in multivariable analysis. In view of the observed link between diabetic retinopathy and CCA IMT, experts inferred that carotid disease may share cardiovascular risk factors with diabetic retinopathy. In addition, the results of changed intravascular haemodynamics may be reflected by the link between diabetic retinopathy and cfPWV.