Effects of neutron irradiation on ophthalmic fundus structure, visual function and the mechanisms underlying these effects in rats

•Neutron irradiation injures the ophthalmic fundus construction of rats.•Neutron irradiation influence the visual function of rats. B-wave amplitude of dark adaptation ERG changes after irradiation.•Both results of VEP and NMR suggest the neutrons induce the ICP increased in rats.•The Aquaporin-1, vinculin, Tropomyosin-1 and Myosin light chain kinase may be closely related to retinal damage by neutron.