In large cities, glass curtain walls are widely used owing to their advantages such as aesthetic appeal, energy efficiency and practicality. However, the negative impacts of their reflected light on the surrounding environment have become increasingly prominent, mainly reflected in glare interference on windows of sensitive buildings including residences, hospitals and schools, as well as potential hazards to traffic safety on main roads. To effectively control the impacts of reflected light, China currently requires newly built glass curtain wall projects to conduct light reflection impact assessment. By calculating and predicting the incident angle, influence region and duration time of reflected light, the assessment verifies whether relevant standards are met and formulates targeted prevention and control measures. This paper reviews the standard systems, analytical methods and regulatory requirements concerning light reflection from glass curtain walls, and distinguishes the impact mechanism and typical scene of light reflection. It also systematically introduces the current calculation methods and assessment procedures for light reflection impact assessment in China. Finally, in view of the management deficiencies and technical bottlenecks encountered in assessment practice, this paper puts forward optimization suggestions and future research directions.