AIM:To investigate the expression levels and signifi-cance of aquaporin-1 (AQP-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) in the retinal ischemia reper-fusion injury(RIRI). METHODS:The model of transient RIRI of the rat retina was constructed by elevation of the intraocular pressure .The expression levels of AQP-1 and VEGF was measured 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours, 3, 7 days after retinal ischemia using immunohistochemical staining. Normal retina was treated as control group. RESULTS: VEGF positive cells were not found in normal group and began to express after 12 hours in ischemia group, increased gradually and reached maximal levels 48 hours after RIRI. There was statistical difference between 48 hours group and other ischemia reperfusion group (P<0.01). AQP-1 positive cells were found in the outer retina in normal group, increased gradually in ischemia reperfusion group and also were found in the inner retina 7 days after RIRI, and the difference was significant (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: AQP-1 and VEGF may play an important role in various blinding ischemic ocular diseases, and co-effect the water metabolism of retina.