Objective To observe whether apoptosis was involved in cells of aspiration fluid from vitrectomy for proliferative vitreoretinopathy(PVR),and whether there was an association with expression of Fas antigen(Fas )and Fas ligand (FasL). Methods Cytocentrifuge slides of 11 fresh vitreous specimenｓ of PVR were prepared to be stained by TUNEL met hod for detection of apoptosis and by immunohistochemical technique for detection of Fas,FasL，and cytokeratin (CK),a cell-type specific antigen. Results Fas and FasL were expressed in normal human retina.Fas,FasL,CK，and apoptosis were found in all preparations.TUNEL-positive cells were 20.53% in total cells.70.35%,51.58%，and 82.97% of cells highly expressed Fas,FasL，and CK,respectively.The linear correlation coefficient of Fas and apoptosis was 0.99(Plt;0．001). Conclusion Vitrectomy specimens of PVR showed expression of Fas，FasL，and apoptosis.Prominent Fas and FasL expressions may be associated with apoptosis of proliferating retinal pigment epithelial cells in the vitreous of PVR. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,1999,15:78-80)