Objective To investigate the expression of matrix metallo proteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 in rats′optical nerves after extrusion wound. Methods We set up the model of rats with extrusion wound of the optical nerves, detected activity changes of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the optical nerves by gelatin zymography, identified the attribute by Western blotting, and verified the expression of mRNA of MMP-2 and MMP-9 by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR ). Results MMP-2 existed in normal optial nerves and optical nerves with extrusion wound, while MMP-9 was only detected in the latter. The expression of MMP-9 was the highest 1 day after the extrusion wound, while that of MMP-2 was the highest 7 days after the extrusion wound. Conclusions MMP-2 and MMP-9 may participate in the pathological recovery process of optical nerves after extrusion wound. The glial cells in the optical nerves may be one of the sources of MMP-2 and MMP-9. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis，2003，19：269-332)