PURPOSE: To probe the effect of taurine on lipid peroxidation,surperoxide dismutase(SOD) and glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)in retina in vitro. METHODS: The animal eye cups were put into media(divided into four groups:control,model,taurine and beta;-carotene) respectively,and incubated at 37deg;C in a humidified atmosphere of 5% CO2/95% air. After 24h or 48h ,the retinas were taken out from the media and the SOD,GSH-Px ,protein and malondialdehyde(MDA) were examined. RESULTS:Taurine could inhibite lipid peroxidation in retina ,decrease MDA level ,could not protect GSH-Px activity in retina. The effect of taurine on SOD activity in retina was also uncertain. CONCLUSION:Taurine can inhibit lipid peroxidation in retina in vitro,but the mechanism of that has nothing to do with the effect of taurine on SOD activity and GSH-Px activity. （Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,1996,12: 183-185 ）