AIM: To investigate the biocompatibility and therapeutic effects of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) on recovery of a rabbit orbital defect. METHODS: Totally 16 New Zealand rabbits were used to establish an orbital bone defect model and then randomly divided into two groups. PEEK was implanted in the experimental group. The control group was blank, and no substance was implanted. The model rabbits were sacrificed at 4 and 8wk, and examined by general observations, histology, electron microscopy, Western blotting, and real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: No infection or rejection occurred after PEEK implantation, and biocompatibility was good. The relative expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group postoperatively (P<0.05). Bone defect repair in the experimental group was significantly better than that in the control group in the same period and some osteogenesis was observed. CONCLUSION: PEEK has good biocompatibility and efficacy for the treatment of orbital bone defects in a rabbit model.