A transport of intensity equation (TIE) based technique is proposed to measure the stress generated by the laser induced damage on the optical elements. By recording three intensity images around the focal plane in damage point area, we directly calculate the stress birefringence phase distribution generated by the damage point, and realize the quantitative detection of stress generated by laser induced damage. Compared to other phase measurement techniques, the proposed TIE based technique doesn′t suffer the disadvantage of the amplitude of π sudden change in the retrieval phase, and can be realized with incoherent light beam illumination. It has the advantages of simple optical path structure, easy operation and rapid measurement, thus it′s an ideal technique for the fast measurement of residual stress generated by laser induced damage on the optical elements. We detect a series of damage points produced by quartz glass under the action of CO2 laser, and the results are completely consistent with theoretical expectations.