The efficiency of protein immobilization to provide a hydrogel surface with a high affinity for corneal epithelial cells was investigated. The cell adhesive proteins collagen and fibronectin, and the cell adhesive oligopeptide RGDS(arginine-glycine-aspartic acid-serine) were successfully covalently immobilized on poly(vinyl alcohol)(PVA) hydrogel sheets. Corneal epithelial cells and L-929 cells were applied to these surfaces. A large number of cells did adhere and proliferate on these protein-bound surfaces in comparison with the virgin PVA not so immobilized.