Owing to their unique optical and electrical properties, quantum dots (QDs) have important applications in the fields of optoelectronic devices, biomedicine, and nonlinear optics. The emission band of Ⅳ?-?Ⅵ semiconductor QDs can cover the entire near-infrared communication band, attracting significant attention and research. To improve the chemical, thermal, and mechanical stabilities of QDs, it is essential to incorporate QDs into a glass matrix. In this paper, the research progress and practical application of PbSe and PbS QD-doped glasses and fibers are emphasized and the problems and future research directions are highlighted.