OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to evaluate the effect of GeLMA/bFGF hydrogel loaded with dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) on the repair and regeneration of traumatic optic nerve injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: GeLMA/bFGF hydrogel was photo-cross-linked by LED light. The physical-chemical properties and cytocompatibility of GeLMA/bFGF hydrogel after being squeezed (GeLMA/bFGF-SQ) were evaluated by SEM and degradation analyses, as well as live/dead and CCK-8 assays, respectively. The axon growth of PC12 cells was evaluated by MAP2 staining. The GeLMA/bFGF/DPSCs-SQ hydrogel was injected RESULTS: GeLMA/bFGF-SQ hydrogel had a porous structure and great degradability, as well as good cytocompatibility. Meanwhile, DPSCs-conditioned medium (DPSCs-CM) could promote the axon growth of PC12 cells. Moreover, the number of RGCs and the regeneration of axons of the optic nerve were the highest in the GeLMA/bFGF/DPSCs-SQ group. HE and TEM data revealed abundant newly and orderly arrangement of optic nerve axons that was observed in the damaged area of the GeLMA/bFGF/DPSCs-SQ group. CONCLUSION: Transplantation of GeLMA/bFGF/DPSCs-SQ