Abstract: The concept of epigenetics was first proposed by Waddington in 1942, referring to phenotypic changes that are not related to the underlying DNA methylation, histone modifications, nocoding microRNA interference, etc. This regulatory mechanism of unchanged genotype and changed phenotype as well as passed on during cell division, proliferation and development can cause the pathologic response including inflammation, neoplasia, aging, and neurodegeneration. This paper mainly focuses on DNA methylation, histone modification, nocoding microRNA interference, and is an overview of epigenetics research progress in mechanism of eye development and ocular diseases. (Int Rev Ophthalmol, 2014, 38: 80-86)