AIM: To detect the protection effect of taurine on photic injury in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells of rabbits with single-cell gel electrophoresis assay (SCGE). METHODS: The 2-4 passage RPE cells of rabbits were adopted to establish visible high damage model.The cultured RPE cells were pretreated with taurine of 40mmol/L, 80mmol/L for 24 hours, whereas control group was pretreated without taurine. The cells DNA damage of various groups was detected with SCGE. RESULTS: The DNA damage on RPE cells of rabbits was reduced, 80mmol/L group had obvious effect than the other groups. There was significant difference with control group in tail DNA% and tail length(P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Taurine can protect RPE cells in rabbits against photic injury. Its effect is does-dependent.