In order to coordinate with the clinical implementation of intraocular lens diopter calculation, and to provide basis for the prevention of eye diseases, the measurement of ocular biological parameters, especially the axial eye length, has attracted more and more attention. This paper mainly discusses the existing measurement methods of axial eye length, which includes traditional ultrasonic measurement method and optical measurement method. This mainly summarizes progress of the measurements of the axial eye length in the partial coherence interferometry, optical low coherence reflectometry and optical coherence tomography. The measurement principle, measurement precision and range of each method and typical instrument are introduced. The development direction of axial eye length measurement is discussed. The ultrasonic measurement method has been gradually replaced by the optical measurement method with the advantages of no damage, rapid and high precision. However, it is necessary to rely on ultrasonic measurement for eyes which lens is opacity.