AIM: To quantitatively detect the expression level of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and transforming growth factor-β2 (TGF-β2) genes in the retina of normal rat in order to determine the expression difference of TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 in retina. METHODS: The total RNA was isolated from which the first strand of cDNA was prepared. The mRNA levels of TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 were detected quantitatively by real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: The mRNA levels of TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 were 0.0008±0.0003 and 0.0378±0.009, respectively. Expression of TGF-β2 was obviously higher than that of TGF-β1 in rat retina with statistical significance (t =12.37, P <0.001).The ratio of TGF-β2/TGF-β1 was 55.00±26.61. CONCLUSION: Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (QRT-PCR) can specifically and accurately detect gene expression level in rat retina. In retina the TGF-β2 gene is expressed more abundantly than TGF-β1. It is suggested that TGF-β2 play an important role in retina diseases.