Objective To investigate the role of ephrin A genes in the development of oxygen-induced retinal neovascularization (OIR) in mice. Methods The OIR model was established by oxygen induction in new born C57BL/6J mice. Reversed transcript - polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to measure the expression levels of ephrin A1-A5 in retinas of mice in experimental and normal control group. Results All of the ephrin A family genes expressed in normal retinas. Ephrin A1 mRNA was significantly higher in OIR group (t= 3.19, P = 0. 019); ephrin A2 mRN A was higher in the 15-day-old OIR retinas (t= 3. 71,P=0. 033) ; ephrin A3-A5 mRNA decreased or disappeared in 12- and 13-day-old RNV mice, and increased in 15-day-old OIR mice. Conclusion Ephrin A genes are involved in the development of retina and OIR.