AIM:To investigate the anti-angiogenesis effect of angiostatin(AS) on rat corneal neovascularization(CNV) and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF).·METHODS: CNV models were established in 105 SD rats,which were randomly divided into normal group(5 SD rats) and experimental group(100 SD rats,induced by alkali burn):normal saline group, 1g/L dexamethasone group, and different concentration angiostatin-treated group(group AS1 10μg/mL and group AS2 20μg/mL). Slit-lamp microscope was performed and the area of CNV was calculated on 3, 7, 14, 21 day after injury. Then 5 rats were randomly sacrificed and the corneas were taken for histopathological and immunohistochemistry examina-trion.·RESULTS: The area of CNV in the AS groups was smaller than that in the normal saline group 3 days after cautery(P<0.05). The expression of VEGF had statisti-cally significant difference between AS group and normal saline group(P<0.05).·CONCLUSION: AS can effectively inhibit rat CNV after alkali burn. The mechanism probably is down-regulation of the expression of VEGF.