Bone morphogenetic proteins(BMPs)belongs to the transforming growth factor beta(TGF-β)superfamily, which was isolated from the decalcified bone matrix by Urist in 1965.As one of the members of BMPs family, BMP4 not only promotes the differentiation and development of chondrocytes, but also plays an important role in the regulation of eye cells. BMP4 can mediate apoptosis of retinal vascular endothelial cells and inhibit angiogenesis, and is expressed in adult corneal epithelium, corneal cells and corneal endothelial cells. Also, participated in the layered corneal epithelium cells proliferation. In this paper, the recent advances in the study of BMP4 in ocular tissues are summarized, and the function of BMP4 in different developmental stages of eye is briefly reviewed.