AIM:In present study,we evaluate the neuroprotective effect of Exenatide,and further investigate the underlying mechanism of Exenatide-induced retinal ganglion cells(RGCs) protection.METHODS:In vitro,expression of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor(GLP-1R) in RGCs cells was detected by immunofluorescence and apoptotic models was built by using high-glucose as cell apoptotic inducer.Different concentrations of Exenatide as the intervention was added to medium and cell survival rate was evaluated by CCK-8 test.RESULTS:Immunofluorescence results showed that RGCs expressed GLP-1R.CCK-8 test results indicated that 0.5-1μg/L concentration of Exenatide could promote the survival of RGCs,and 0.5μg/L concentration of Exenatide which was the low concentration had favourable effect to protect RGCs(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:Exenatide protects RGCs from survival inhibition induced by high-glucose.The protection may depend on GLP-1R induced cell protective mechanism.