Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a common microvascular complication observed in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, an indicator of insulin resistance, has an uncertain role in glycemic management in T2DM patients at risk for DR. This study aimed to evaluate the association between the TyG index and DR risk across different glycemic control status. Methods: A total of 4,372 T2DM in-patients from Beijing Tongren Hospital (2013-2024) were included in this study. The patients were categorized into four groups based on TyG index quartiles (Q1-Q4). Participants were stratified by TyG index quartiles (Q1-Q4) and glycemic control status (HbA1c <7%, 7-9%, and >9%). Restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis, logistic regression, and subgroup analyses were employed to explore the associations among the TyG index, glycemic control and DR risk. Results: Overall, there were positive association of the TyG index and DR risk. The highest TyG Q4 was significantly associated with an increased risk of DR (odds ratio [OR]: 1.289; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.008-1.648, P<0.05), compared with the lowest TyG Q1. Significant interaction was observed between the TyG index and glycemic control (P for interaction <0.05). Notably, the association was strongest in patients with HbA1c >9%. Conclusion: The relationship between high TyG index and DR risk was more pronounced in patients with HbA1c >9% group, indicating that TyG index may serve as a useful tool for making risk stratification on glycemic control in T2DM patients.