Traumatic optic neuropathy (TON) is a common complication of craniocerebral trauma. The diagnosis and prognostic evaluation of TON mainly rely on clinical symptoms and signs of the patients and high-resolution CT results, but CT usually can not accurately evaluate the location, degree, nature and prognosis of the optic nerve injury. In recent years, emerging MRI, such as diffusion weighted imaging, diffusion tensor imaging, or diffusion kurtosis imaging, has been gradually applied in TON detection, which can more comprehensively and accurately evaluate the optic nerve microstructure and metabolic changes, therefore providing more reliable technical support for TON diagnosis and treatment. In this review, the application of MRI in diagnosis and prognosis evaluation of TON in recent years is reviewed, so as to provide reference for its clinical application and promotion.