Abstract: 【Abstract】This article reviewed the recent research progress related to distribution and changing mechanisms of vitreous oxygen tension. It not only clarified that the ascorbate plays an important role in maintaining the vitreous oxygen tension, but also discussed the increasing vitreous oxygen tension after vitrectomy helps to improve diabetic retinopathy from ischemia, hypoxia and to alleviate diabetic macular edema. Maintaining vitreous oxygen tension gradient helps to protect the lens and trabecular meshwork from oxidative stress damage. The elevated oxygen tension around the trabecular meshwork after vitrectomy may lead to postoperative nuclear cataract and high incidence of openangle glaucoma. In addition, this article also reviewed the detection methods of oxygen tension in vivo, and showed clinical applications of keeping the oxygen tension gradient on the significance of druginduced vitrectomy. (Int Rev Ophthalmol, 2012, 36: 352357)