Chalcogenide glass is an infrared optical element which is widely used and difficult to process. Single point diamond turning technology not only has high processing quality, but also can effectively avoid the reduction of surface shape accuracy caused by abrasive embedded in optical elements. It is suitable for ultra-precision machining of small-caliber and large-volume chalcogenide glass lenses. In this paper, the principle and conditions of single point diamond turning of chalcogenide glass are introduced. The influences of machine tools, tools and processing technology on surface shape accuracy and surface finish in single point diamond turning processing of chalcogenide glass is reviewed.