AIM: To study the effects of geranylgeranylacetone (GGA) on the expression of heat shock protein70 (HSP70) on retinal ganglion cells (RGC) in rats with chronic intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation. · METHODS: Seventy Wistars were divided into blank control group (10 rats), chronic hypertension group (30 rats) and GGA group (30 rats). Chronic hypertension was created by cauterizing the superficial scleral veins. 800mg/kg/d GGA was given by oral daily after cauterization. Immunohis- tochemistry was used respectively to observe the changes of expression of HSP70 in the model rats and GGA interference rats at different time points during the course of chronic IOP elevation. · RESULTS: The successful model was identified as the IOP over 40% of normal rats. The retinal thickness was significantly reduced in model group and model+GGA group compared with normal rats from 21 days through 28 days after cauterization (P <0.05), and that of model rats was obviously decreased in comparison with model+GGA rats (P < 0.05). The number of ganglion cells was significantly decreased in model rats and model+GGA rats compared with normal rats from 21 days and 28 days. The stronger expression intensity (IOD) value was seen for HSP70 in the model+GGA rats by immunochemistry (P <0.01). · CONCLUSION: Systemic administration of GGA protects retina from chronic IOP elevation by regulating the expression of HSP70.