Objective To evaluate the possible role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the pathogenesis of retinal neovascularization resulting from retinal ischemia． Methods Retinal vein occlusion of rabbits model was established with argon laser photo coagulation to retinal vein．The VEGF mRNA expression was observed in ischemic retina and retinal neovascular tissue with in situ hybridization technique． Results VEGF mRNA expression was detected in inner ischemic retina and retinal neovascular tissue that were corespondent to the distribution of retinal ischemia．The best VEGF mRNA expression was detected in retinal neovascular tissue． Conclusion VEGF might play an important role in the pathogenesis of vascular proliferative retinopathy． (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2001,17:5-7)