Abstract： Objective To observe the morphological changes of dendrite and soma in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) which subsisted in early diabetic rats. Methods The RGCs of 3-months-course diabetic rats and coeval normal rats were marked by gene gun techniques. To collect RGCs photographs by Leica microscope with Z axis and CCD camera;to observe the changes of diameter, variance of structural features in dendritic field and somata after classification which according to the size and morphology. Thy-1 antibody marks on the retinal RGCs, taking a photograph under fluorescent microscope, counting the changes of retinal RGCs density in early diabetic rat. Results In three-month diabetic rats, the density of retinal RGCs was decreased obviously. Morphological changes of RGCs in the dendritic fields were observed with gene gun technique. There was no severe variation in all kinds of the bole of cell dendrite,in which some only showed crispation partially and sparseness also twisting in the dendritic ramus. The mean diameter of dendritic field and soma in class A of diabetic rats was (401±86)μm, the mean diameter of dendritic field in control group was (315±72) μm,compared with each other, there is statistically significant differences (t=21. 249, P<0. 001), the mean diameter of soma in class A of diabetic rats was (24±6) μm, the mean diameter of soma in control group was (22±5) μm, compared with each other,there is no statistically significant differences (t= 0. 927,P>0.05); the mean diameter of dendritic field and soma in class B of diabetic rats were (170±36). (14±2) μm respectively, in control group were (165±36), (16±2) μm, the mean diameter of dendritic field and soma in class C of diabetic group were (265±78),(17±5) μm respectively, in control group were (251±57),(17±4) μm , compared with each other,there are on statistically significant differences (t=1.357,0.798,0. 835,1.104 ,P>0.05). ConclusionsIn short-term diabetes, the survived RGCs show good plasticity in adult diabetic rats, especially in class A. The changes of dendrites were more sensitive than the soma, which could be the leading index of themorphologic changes of RGCs in the early stage. The good plasticity showed by the RGCs and the time window from changing in dendrite to cell death provide us many evidences not only for the research but also for the nerve protection in clinic.