AIM:To study the relativity between lens epithelial cells （LECs） apoptosis rate and perfluoropropane gas after the operation of vitrectomy with nonexpansile perfluoropropane gas. METHODS:Totally 50 new Zealand health rabbits（100 eyes） were assigned randomly to three groups:the A group rabbits was normal group;the B group were control group,performed the operation of simple vitrectomy with BSS;the C group eyes were experimental group,performed the operation of vitrectomy with nonexpansile perfluoropropane gas.The intraocular pressures were measured with Schiotz indentation tonometer,and the lens shape were observed with slit lamp microscope on the 1^st,3^th,8^th,35^th,45^th day after operation.The apoptosis rate of lens epithelial cell was detected under light microscope after the treatment of TUNEL method. RESULTS:There was significant difference（P<0.05）on apoptosis rate of LECs between experimental group and the control group,normal group on the 35^th and 45^th day after operation;The apoptosis rate of LECs on the 35^th and 45^th day after operation is 1.81±0.91%,3.20±1.25%, and there was significant difference（P<0.05） between them. CONCLUSION:The perfluoropropane gas was one of the main reasons of the early cataract after the operation of vitrectomy with nonexpansile perfluoropropane gas. LECs apoptosis can be induced by C₃F₈,and apoptosis rate of LECs was gradually increased as the after-operation time prolonged.