Objective To observe the intervention effect of salvianolic acid A (SAA) on retinopathy of Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats and explore the possible action mechanism of SAA to prevent and treat diabetic retinopathy (DR). Methods Thirty-two 7-8-week old ZDF rats were taken and fed with Purina rat chow for 4 weeks. The ZDF rats were equally divided by the blood glucose into model group, 0.5 mg/kg SAA group, 1.0 mg/kg SAA group and metformin (Met) group. 8 Zucker lean (ZL) rats were taken as control group. After 12-week administration, incidence of cataracts and retinal pathology was observed, and levels of GLU, TC and HbA_1c in blood, transferrin (TRF) and retinol binding protein (RBP) in urine and levels of interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL), malondialdehyde (MDA) and lipoprotein related phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) activity in serum were measured. Results In the model group, GLU, TC, HbA_1c, diabetic cataract incidence rate, retinal basement thickening and microangiopathy appeared in most of the rats. The levels of TRF and RBP in urine and levels of IL-1, IL-6, ox-LDL, MDA in serum were significantly increased, and Lp-PLA2 activity was also significantly increased. After SAA administration, the morbidity rate of cataract was reduced, and retinal pathological changes were improved in different degrees. The levels of TRF, RBP, IL-1, IL-6, ox-LDL, MDA and Lp-PLA2 activity was decreased. Conclusions SAA can slow down the process of diabetic retinopathy in ZDF rats and reduce the incidence of cataract. The mechanisms of action may be related to inhibition of chronic inflammation, prevention of lipid peroxidation and reduction of Lp-PLA2 activity.