Long non-coding RNAs are 200 nucleotide long RNA molecules which lack or have 
limited protein-coding potential. They can regulate protein formation through 
several different mechanisms. Similarly, circular RNAs are reported to play a 
critical role in post-transcriptional gene regulation. Changes in the expression 
pattern of these molecules are established to underline various diseases, 
including cancer, cardiovascular, neurological and immunological disorders. 
Recent studies suggest that they are differentially expressed both in healthy 
ocular tissues as well as in eye pathologies, such as neovascularization, 
proliferative vitreoretinopathy, glaucoma, cataract, ocular malignancy or even 
strabismus. Aetiology of ocular diseases is multifactorial and combines genetic 
and environmental factors, including epigenetic and non-coding RNAs. In 
addition, disorders like diabetic retinopathy or age-related macular 
degeneration lack biomarkers for early detection as well as effective treatment 
methods that will allow controlling the disease progression at its early stages. 
The newly discovered non-coding RNAs seem to be the ideal candidate for novel 
molecular markers and therapeutic strategies. In this review, we summarize 
current knowledge about gene expression regulators - long non-coding and 
circular RNA molecules in eye diseases.