Abstract: To investigate the practical application of the anomalies of optical astronomic time-latitude residuals in earthquake prediction, the article introduces the discovery of the anomalies of optical astronomic time-latitude residuals before earthquake, its research practice in earthquake prediction, and the actual relation between the anomalies of the time-latitude residuals of photoelectric astrolabe in Yunnan Observatory and the strong earthquakes around, and finally discusses its possible geophysical mechanism, current limitations in earthquake prediction and possible solution methods. The forecasting practice since 2010 especially shows that neither does it generate false forecasts, nor misses forecasts of major earthquakes. This indicates that it is can be used as a method of earthquake prediction for practical usage, such work requires more attention and further study.