Matrix metalloproteinases(MMPs), which play the most important role in the degradation of extracellular matrix(ECM), belong to the family of Ca2+ and Zn2+ dependent endoproteinases. MMPs participate in the pathological processes of various eye diseases. It’s a new way for us to prevent and control the generating and development of kinds of eye diseases from the research of MMPs. If we know more about the MMPs’ activation and inhibition, as well as how to express highly, we’ll know better about eye diseases. In this review, we mainly focus on the recent research of MMPs.