AIM:To research the mRNA and protein expressions of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α) and caspase-9 in normal retina and ocular hypertention retina,investigate the relation of glaucomatous retinal degeneration and HIF-1α and caspase-9 signal transduction path.METHODS:Coagulating two episcleral veins unilaterally in rats with electric coagulator to establish the glaucoma model.Use immunochemistry,PT-PCR and Western Blot analysis to examine the expression of HIF-1α and caspase-9 genes.RESULTS:The expression of HIF-1α and caspase-9 were very faint immunostaining in normal retina.In the glaucomatous retina,immunostaining for HIF-1α and caspase-9 was predominant in the retinal ganglion cell layer and the inner nuclear.In RT-PCR and Western Blot,HIF-1α and caspase-9 genes mRNA and protein were faintly expressed in normal rat retina,and the expression of them increased in IOP elevation model rats with the time going on.The peak expression of HIF-1α was on the 7th day after IOP elevated.The peak expression of caspase-9 was on the 14th day then decreased but still maintained at a higher level.The expression among experimental groups was statisticlly different compared with the control group.CONCLUSION:HIF-1α and caspase-9 participates in signal transduction of retinal neurons apoptosis during retinal injury on chronic high ocular pressure.