AIM:To observe the expression of Glia fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP) in Müller cells on mild blunt ocular trauma in rabbits.METHODS:Twenty rabbits(40 eyes) were randomly divided into two groups:normal control group, contusion group. The rabbit retina was injured by 3J energy contusion caused by a free falling iron bar hitting the cornea. The eyes were enucleated at different time and made as paraffin sections for GFAP immunohistochemistry staining. The positive rate and gray scale value of retinal GFAP expression were measured with computer image analysis system, and analyzed statistically with package of SPSS 12.0 for Windows.RESULTS:There was little brown positive GFAP stain in internal limiting membrane in normal control group. The GFAP stain strengthened at the first day after contusion. As times went by, the GFAP stain went through internal limiting membrane to nerve fiber layer, ganglionic layer, inner plexiform, outer nuclear layer and neuroepithelial layer, statistical analysis of average gray scale and positive area ratio of GFAP also presented that there was statistical significance between normal control group and contusion group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:The intensity of GFAP expression continues to grow up gradually after ocular contusion. Müller cells gliosis have recovery function in the early stage after ocular contusion.