Focusing on the sensing parameter, research progress in optical detection of wake in the last 15 years is summarized. The existing four methods of optical detection of wake are concluded, including the continuous laser scattering intensity detection, the imaging detection, the pulse return detection and the polarization detection. The fundamental principles, progress and some problems of the above methods are introduced. The direction of future work is introduced considering problems such as novel sensing parameters, signal processing and anti-interference technology, setting up the database of wake properties and expanding related applications.