AIM: To investigate the effect of vitamin A on the conjunctival goblet cells of rat after corneal transplantation. · METHODS: Rat graft rejection models of corneal transplant- ation were established. SD rats were receptor and Wistar rats were donors. After corneal allografts were performed, 48 SD rats were randomly divided into three groups, 16 rats in each group. Group A was blank control group; group B was treated by oculotect gel (containing vitamin A); group C was treated by 1g/L dexamethasone eyedrops. Besides, group D was normal unoperated eyes. Slit-lamp microscope was employed to record and compare rejection index (RI) of corneal transplantation. By HE, PAS staining of conjunctival histological sections and image analysis system, the number and morphology of conjunctival goblet cells were observed and analyzed between operation group and normal group. · RESULTS: The HE, PAS staining detection showed that the number of conjunctival goblet cells in oculotect gel group, 1g/L dexamethasone eyedrops group and control group is lower than that in normal group after surgery (P <0.01). The number of conjunctival goblet cells in oculotect gel group and 1g/L dexamethasone eyedrops group is higher than that in control group (P <0.05). The number of conjunctival goblet cells in 1g/L dexamethasone eyedrops group is higher than that in oculotect gel group (P <0.05). · CONCLUSION: The results indicate that vitamin A may inhibit the decrease of conjunctival goblet cells after corneal allograft rejection in rats.