AIM:To investigate the expression and mechanism of Bcl-2 and Bax protein in retinal ischemia-reperfusion injury(RIRI) in rats, as well as the effect of Astragalus (AS) on it. METHODS: The models of RIRI were made by transient elevating of intraocular pressure. A total of 66 SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group, ischemia-reperfusion model group and AS treatment group. The last two groups were subdivided into 6, 12, 24, 48 hours, and 3 days small groups according to the different reperfusion time. The light microscope was used to observe the structural changes in retina. Western-blot and immunohistochemitry were used to measure changes of Bcl-2 and Bax protein levels in retinal tissue.  RESULTS:No expression of Bcl-2 and Bax positive cells were found in normal group.At the ischemia-reperfusion groups,the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax began to increase at 6 hours after reperfusion．At 24 hours after reperfusion the expression reached the peak, and went on increasing with the reperfusion time prolonged，and began to decrease after 3 days. The therapy groups of Astragalus had the same trend with the ischemic groups in each index.Astragalus injection treatment group being compared with model group, Bcl-2 expression was significantly stronger and Bax expression was significantly reduced. There was significant difference between two groups(P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Astragalus injection pretreatment allows Bcl-2 expression of ganglion cells enhanced and expression of Bax diminished, and reduces ganglion cells apoptosis,which have a significant protective effect on the RIRI ganglion cells.