Abstract： Objective To investigate the protective effect of recombinant erythropoietin (EPO) on the photoreceptor cells in rat with retinal detachment (RD). Methods One hundred and sixty-two normal male rats were randomly divided into normal control (NC) group, RD model group, RD+phosphate buffer solution (RD+PBS) group, RD+EPO 100 ng group, RD+EPO 200 ng group and RD+EPO 400 ng group. Three days after RD, activated caspase-3 and bcl-XL were detected by Western blot and/or immunofluorescence, and apoptosis were measured by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate digoxigenin nick-end labeling(TUNEL). Fourteen and 28 days and two months after RD, the outer nuclear layer (ONL) thickness was measured by histopathologic method. Results Western bolt indicated that the protein level of activated caspase-3 and bcl-XL between six groups were statistically significant(F= 35. 96, 30. 75;P<0. 01). The number of TUNEL positive cells and activated caspase-3 positive cells are consistent with each other in different groups. Fourteen days and two months after RD, the differences of ONL thickness between six groups were statistically significant (F= 21. 52, 96. 25;P<0. 01). Conclusion Supplement of EPO after RD can alleviate apoptosis by inhibiting of the caspase-3 activity and increasing the expression of bcl-XL, thus exerts protective effect on photoreceptor cells.