OBJECTIVE To determine the effects of traditional Chinese medicines on subretinal fluid absorption after Operation for retinal detachment. METHODS Among 100 eyes with operations for retinal detachment without drainage of fluid, there were 50 eyes in traditional Chinese medicine treatment group and 50 eyes in the control group, and there were no significant difference between the two groups in age, myopia and retinal detachment area. We observed the time for the absorption of subretinal fluid and visual acuity improvement after the operations for retinal detachment. RESULTS The result showed that the average time for the absorption of subretinal fluid was 14.5 days in the traditional Chinese medicine treatment group, 21.7 days in the control group and the visual acuity was better in the former than in the latter. CONCLUSIONS The traditional Chinese medicine treatment could increase the absorption of subretinal fluid, the mechanisms of which may be that Chinese medicines regulated and improved the general blood circulation and local eye blood circulation and the function of blood-retinal barrier so that they increase the outward osmotic suction forces of the pigment epithelium.