Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are key players in variety of biogenesis and biological 
functions. Their aberrant expression has been implicated in disease progression. 
NcRNAs can be divided into short ncRNAs whose subtypes are mainly microRNA 
(miRNA), long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) and circular RNA (circRNA). They are 
involved in cellular processes, including gene regulation, development and 
disease. The retina is a remarkably sophisticated instrument with interconnected 
cell types and is the primary target of many genetic diseases. In addition, in 
terms of retinal dyshomeostasis and inflammation, ncRNAs seems to play critical 
roles in many retinal diseases. Here, we provide an overview of ncRNAs in 
developing retina. We also review how does these ncRNAs function in various 
retinal diseases including animal and human models. These data indicate that 
ncRNAs regulate cellular processes including cell proliferation, 
differentiation, apoptosis and contribute to initiation and progression of 
retinal diseases.