AIM: To investigate the expression of vascular endothelium growth factor(VEGF) in the choroidal blood vessels of hyperlipidemia rabbits, to explore the role of hyperlipidemia in the pathogenesis of choroidal neovascularization(CNV) in age-related macular degeneration(AMD). METHODS: Thirty-six rabbits were randomly divided into 2 groups, normal control group and hyperlipidemia group by feeding respectively standard diet and high cholesterol diet.The expression of VEGF was analysed with immunohistochemical method and RT-PCR at 1month, 2, 3 months. RESULTS:Immunohistochemical method showed that the expression of VEGF was weak in normal control group.The expression of VEGF was enhanced in hyperlipidemia group and the difference was statistically significant when group G2,G3 compared with group C2(P<0.05),C3(P<0.01), and nonsignificant when group G1 compared with C1 (P>0.05). RT-PCR showed that VEGFmRNA was detected in both normal control group and hyperlipidemia group. The expression of VEGFmRNA paralleled to the result of immunohistochemical method. CONCLUSION:The lesion on the choroidal blood vessels and enhanced expression of VEGF caused by hyperlipidemia might lead to CNV.