Apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells(RGCs)is an important step in the mechanism of a variety of diseases such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, optic neuritis etc. In these diseases, oxidative stress induces the aopoptosis of RGCs. In recent years, many experimental studies have found that anti-oxidative stress drugs have a powerful protective efficacy in RGCs. This article reviewed the recent advances in the researches on oxidative stress-induced apoptosis of RGCs and related anti-oxidative stress drugs.