Purpose To investigate risk factors for the development and progression of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and long‐term visual outcomes in Dutch patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Methods Cumulative incidences were calculated for DR, vision‐threatening DR (VTDR), defined as (pre)proliferative DR and diabetic macular oedema, and best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA)