Objective To observe the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in aqueous humor and vitreous body in eyes with proliferative vitreo-retinal diseases, and to investigate the role of VEGF plays in the pathoge nesis of proliferative vitreo-retinal diseases. Methods The concentration of VEGF in aqueous humor and vitreous body in eyes with proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR), retinal vein occlusion (RVO), proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), and neovascular glaucoma (NVG) were measured by double antibodies sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results The concentration of VEGF in aqueous humor and vitreous body in eyes with PVR, RVO, PDR and NVG were obviously higher than that in the control group (Plt;0.05), respectively. Among all of the diseases, the concentration of VEGF in aqueous humor and vitreous body decreased orderly in NVG, PDR, RVO and PVR (Plt;0.05). The concentration of VEGF in vitreous body in eyes with PVR, RVO, PDR and in the control group were much higher than that in aqueous humor in corresponding groups (Plt;0.05). There was a negative correlation between the disease history and content of VEGF in aqueous humor and vitreous body in patients with PVR (r=－0.819, －0.823；Plt;0.05). The disease history positi vely correlated with the concentration of VEGF in aqueous humor and vitreous body in patients with RVO (r=0.913, 0.929；Plt;0.05), and the time of vitreous hemorrhage positively correlated with the concentration of VEGF in aqueous humor and vitreous body in patients with PDR (r=0.905, 0.920；Plt;0.05). Conclusion The concentration of VEGF in aqueous humor and vitreous body in patients with proliferative vitreo-retinal diseases significantly increases, and VEGF may play an important role in the pathoge nesis of proliferative vitreo-retinal diseases. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2006, 22: 313-316)