Brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)is a basic protein, and a member of neurotrophic factor family, which plays an important role in the development, differentiation and maintenance of neurons. A large number of studies have confirmed that BDNF is involved in the occurrence and development of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease and Alheimer's disease, and has a neuroprotective effect. In the retina, BDNF is mainly produced by retinal ganglion cells, amacrine cells, astrocytes, retinal glial cells(Müller cells)and photoreceptors. In recent years, related studies have found that BDNF is involved in the occurrence and development of glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy(DR)and other ocular diseases, and may have a diagnostic role, which will be beneficial to early intervention of patients to avoid the development of advanced glaucoma or DR. On the other hand, BDNF-based therapies have achieved good results in in vitro and in vivo experiments of glaucoma, DR and amblyopia, which may provide more choices for the treatment of these ocular diseases. In this manuscript, the research progresses of BDNF in ocular diseases in recent years were reviewed.