In order to overcome the influence of atmospheric turbulence effect on the performance of wireless optical communication system, it is necessary to establish a turbulence model which can accurately describe the fluctuations of atmospheric refractive index. This paper summarizes the research progress of atmospheric turbulence models at home and abroad, analyzes the theoretical establishment of different atmospheric turbulence models in depth and compares their application ranges. At the same time, the channel model of atmospheric established in the actual atmospheric turbulence measurement is introduced. Finally, the development trend of atmospheric turbulence model is forecasted.