Objective Using real-time shear wave elastography (SWE) to initially establish the reference range of the optic nerve stiffness in healthy adults, and explore the related influencing factors. Methods 210 healthy adults were selected as the research objects and SWE was used to quantify the optic nerve stiffness range. The correlation between gender, age, body mass index (BMI), optic nerve sheath diameter and mean optic nerve elasticity (Emean) was analyzed. All the subjects were divided into three subgroups by age: Group a: 18-37 years old (70 cases); Group b: 38-57 years old (70 cases); Group c: 58-78 years old (70 cases). The differences of baseline data, optic nerve sheath diameter and Emean value among subgroups were compared. Results The Emean values of the optic nerve of healthy adults ranged from 10.37±1.56kpa, and the Emean values of the optic nerve of males and females showed no statistical significance (P＞0.05), while the Emean values of the left and right optic nerves showed no statistical significance (P > 0.05). The differences in the optic nerve Emean values among the subgroups were statistically significant (P < 0.001). Correlation analysis showed that age was positively correlated with the Emean value of optic nerve, and with the increase of age, the Emean value of groups a, b and c had a trend of gradual increase. Conclusion Shear wave elastography can quantitatively evaluate the optic nerve stiffness and provide a reference basis for various primary or secondary optic neuropathy.