AIM: To investigate the expression of hyporia inducing factor-1α (HIF-1α), apoptosis of retinal cells and the role of HIF-1α in apoptosis in rats’ retinal ischemia-reperfusion injury. METHODS: The rat model of experimental retinal ischemia- reperfusion injury was established by increasing the intraocular pressure to 110mmHg (1kPa =7.5mmHg) in rat eyes．At different time points of post ischemia, the expression of HIF-1α of the retina was detected by immunohistochemical staining, and the apoptosis of retinal cell was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated deoxyuridine triphosphatebiotin nick end labeling (TUNEL). RESULTS: HIF-1α appeared in the cells of retinal ganglion layer and inner nuclear layer at 2 hours after ischemia .The expression reached to a peak, 12 hours after retinal ischemia-reperfusion, then, the expression was declined. The apoptotic cells were mainly in inner nuclear layer and could be detected at the 12^th, 24^th and 48^th hour after ischemia, the peak value was the group of 24^th hour. CONCLUSION: The expression of HIF-1α in rats’ retina is greatly enhanced after ischemia-reperfusion, which may be involved in the retinal injury; the injury of retinal neurons occurs partly in the form of apoptosis. The expression of HIF-1α may play an important role in cell apoptosis.