AIM:To observe tea polyphenols (TP) on the changes of the lens morphological and antioxidative system in rat of oxidative damage, and to research the protection of TP on oxidative damage to the lens. METHODS: In vitro oxidative damage model was established, the untreated group, oxidative damage group（H₂O₂） and experimental groups(（H₂O₂+TP）were set respectively.After 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours, the cloudy conditions of lens were observed in every group, and the superoxide dismutase(SOD), glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px) activity and malondaldehyde(MDA) content were detected of each lens. RESULTS: Untreated group-s lens all maintained transparent. Along with the extension of action time, cloudy degree of the lens gradually increased obviously in oxidative damage group.The lens cloudness in tea polyphenols group was less than that in oxidative damage groups. The differences among groups in lens opacity relative grey value were statistically significant （P<0.05）. MDA content of lens tissue in oxidative damage group was significantly higher than that in control group （P<0.05）,while GSH- Px and SOD decreased significantly （P<0.05）.TP group being compared with oxidative damage group, its MDA in lens reduced （P<0.05）, but still higher than that in control group, and GSH-Px, ATP levels increased obviously(P<0.05),all the differences were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: TP can improve the lens oxidation resistance to oxidative damage, reduce lipid peroxide level, thus delay the origin and development of cataract, and provide new theory basis for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of cataracts.