We assessed the efficacy of the radioprotective effects of WR-2721 in radiation-induced goblet cell loss. Fourteen female New Zealand white rabbits were divided into radioprotected, radiounprotected, and control groups. Ten rabbits received 5,000 rad of p irradiation to the temporal conjunctiva of both eyes. The right eyes were pretreated with topical applications of WR-2721 30 minutes and 1 minute before irradiation. The left eyes received irradiation only. Four additional rabbits received neither irradiation nor pretreatment with WR-2721. After a 2-month waiting period, each animal was killed and goblet cell densities per high-power field (GCD/HPF) were determined over the areas in question and compared using paired sample t tests. The mean GCD/HPF for the radioprotected, unprotected, and control groups were 10.93, 4.68, 23.15 (right eye), and 26.25 (left eye).Paired sample t tests showed a significant radioprotective effect when comparing WR-2721-treated animals with those receiving radiation only (p <0.003). Independent sample / tests showed significant goblet cell loss in both the radioprotected (p <0.018) and radiounprotected eyes (p <0) when compared with control groups. These data suggest a radioprotective effect of WR-2721 in radiation-induced goblet cell loss.