AIM: To observe the effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)of Bushenhuoxue on primary visual cortex(PVC)'s Nissl bodies damage in rat model of chronic elevated intraocular pressure(EIOP), and explore the mechanism of it initially.

METHODS: The rat model of chronic EIOP was established by unilaterally cauterizing 3 episcleral vessels, then 30 rats were divided into 3 groups randomly: control group, model group, and treatment group. After given drugs or normal saline for 8 weeks, the rats were put to death. The effect of intraocular pressure(IOP), content of Nissl bodies and ultrastructure of neuron cell in the PVC was observed.

RESULTS: Unilaterally cauterizing episcleral vessels increased IOP of the rat modle obviously, there was significant difference compared with preoperative(P<0.01). Semi-quantitative pathological analysis showed that Nissl body of total area in the model group was(34941±8482.1)S/μm²,mean optical density was(152.8±27.97), integrated optical density was(11993±3084.8), compared with the control group, total area was(55742±6348.1)S/μm²,mean optical density was(304.04±100.1),integrated optical density was(18219±3548.9), there were statistically differences(all P<0.05). There were statistically difference in Nissl body of total area, mean optical density and integrated optical density between model group and treatment group, total area was(46406±5989.3)S/μm²,mean optical density was(251.05±77.41),integrated optical density was(16899±4040.6, all P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: TCM of Bushenhuoxue can repair PVC's damage in the rat model of chronic EIOP by enhancing expression of Nissl body, improving ultrastructure of neuron cell.