Objective To observe Müller cell-specific reactive gliosis in rat retina following acute ocular hypertension (AOH) and its effect on AOH-induced retinal damage.Methods The AOH rat model was established by infusing normal saline into the anterior chamber to elevate intraocular pressure (110mmHg, lh).Healthy male SD rats (8-10 weeks, 200-250 g) were divided into sham operation (Ctrl), AOH and AOH+c-aminoadipic acid (AAA, intravitreal injection) treated groups (1 d, 3 d and 5 d subgroups according the reperfusion time), and AAA treatment or AOH+PBS control group.TUNEL assay, Hochest, GFAP and Thy-1 immunofluorescent staining were applied for determining retinal damage and Müller cell-specific reactive gliosis.Results The results showed that AOH could attenuate the thicknesses of inner plexiform layer (IPL) and inner nuclear layer (INL), and cause cell disorganization and cell loss in ganglion cell layer (GCL) as well as the Müller cell-specific reactive gliosis (enhanced GFAP-immunoreactivity) in rat retina.In addition, we found that the inhibition of Müiler cell-specific reactive gliosis by AAA intravitreal injection could significantly relief the retinal ganglion cell (RGC) loss and cell apoptosis in GCL layer of AOH rat retina.Conclusion Müiler cell-specific reactive gliosis was involved in AOHinduced retinal damage and its inhibition may be an effective therapeutic strategy for improving glaucomatous retinopathy.