ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of FTY720 on retinal photoreceptor cells and microglial following light-induced degeneration in rat retina. Methods120 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups including FTY720 group, solvent control group, model group and normal group. The rats of normal group were not intervened. The FTY720 group, solvent control group and model group establish retinal light injury mode. FTY720 was injected into abdominal cavity of the rats in FTY720 group 0.5 hours before light exposure. 50% dimethylsulfoxide was injected into abdominal cavity of the rats in solvent control group. The expressions of microglial cells in rat retinal were quantified using flow cytometry, the expressions of interleukin (IL)-1βwere examined by enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay at 6 hours, 1 day, 3 days, 7 days after light exposure. The apoptosis of retinal photoreceptor cells were measured by terminal-deoxynucleoitidyl transferase mediated nick end labeling at 1 day after light exposure. The morphological change of retinal were viewed by haematoxylin and eosin staining at 7 days after light exposure. ResultsThe expressions of microgilal and IL-1βbegan to rise at 1 day after light exposure, reached at peak at 3 days and decreased at 7 days. The expressions of IL-1βand microglial in FTY720 group were significantly lower than solvent control group and model group, but higher than normal group (P < 0.05).One day after exposure to light, the apoptosis cell ratio in normal group, model group, solvent control group and FTY720 group were 0, (87.66±2.50)%, (86.00±2.44)%, (49.66±2.80)%. The apoptosis cell in FTY720 group were higher than normal group, lower than solvent control group and model group (P < 0.05). Seven days after exposure to light, the retinal in normal group was structured and the cell was arranged well, the cell in solvent control group and model group was irregular arrangement and the outer nuclear layer (ONL) was thin after light exposure. The thickness of the ONL in FTY720 group was significantly higher than solvent control group and model group, below normal group. ConclusionFTY720 can prevents retinal photoreceptor cells from apoptosis and inhibits activation of microglial.