For　anti-resonant　reflecting　optical　waveguide　(ARROW)　vertical-cavity　surface-emitting　laser　(VCSEL),　transfer　matrix　method　in　the　cylindrical　coordinates　is　used　to　analyze　the　lateral　radiation　losses　of　the　fundamental　mode　and　first　mode　with　different　thickness　of　the　first　clad.　Compared　with　the　traditional　planar　approximation　method,　this　method　can　calculate　the　loss　more　precisely,　and　it　shows　the　discipline　of　the　losses　with　the　thickness　of　the　first　clad　more　clearly.　Furthermore,　it　is　indicated　that　the　best　thickness　of　the　first　clad　is　not　necessarily　the　value　when　the　fundamental　mode　is　resonant.　And　both　the　lateral　radiation　losses　of　the　fundamental　mode　and　first　mode　should　be　considered.