Tumor necrosis factor related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a new member of TNF superfamily. TRAIL preferentially induces apoptosis in tumor cells,trans-formed or virus-infected cells,but not in normal cells,thus it has greatly spurred our attention. Eye tumor therapy has always been the challenge to ophthalmo-logists. This review introduces TRAIL and its receptors’ structures and functions,the mechanism of inducing apoptosis and the applications in eye tumors therapy.