The kinetics of inflammatory cytokines in sensory retina of mice with corneal alkali-burned eyes were examined. Retinal samples were collected from ICR mice with unburned and alkali-burned eyes from day 3 to day 14. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to quantitate the expression levels of interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha), IL-1 beta and IL-6. Concentrations of IL-1 beta and IL-6 were significantly elevated at day 3 after alkali burn, and reduced to normal level by day 7. The concentration of IL-1 alpha was below assay sensitivity at all times. A significant elevation of IL-1 beta and IL-6 in the sensory retina may contribute to the retinal inflammatory response in the alkali-burned eyes. This is the first report suggesting that the retina is involved in the damage process of alkali burn.