Abstract： Objective To study retinal nerve cells apoptosis in Kkay mice and the effect of APP17 peptide on it. Methods Kk ay mice were randomly divided into normal control (NC) group, diabetic control g roup and diabetic group treated with APP17 peptide. The eyeballs were carried ou t to make retinal sections when three groups were treated for 1 and 3 months. Th e apoptotic cells stained by the method of TUNEL were observed with light micros cope. Results Compared with normal control group,apoptosis in the retinal nerve cells was increased significantly in diabetic control group a t lst and 3rd months (P<0.01) and it was significantly reduced in group trea ted with APP17 peptide. Conclusions The number of apoptosis in the retinal never cells of Kkay mice with diabetes increases, APP17 peptide can restrain the apoptosis of retinal neural cell.