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This review focuses on the radiation-induced changes in germanate and tellurite glasses. These glasses have been of great interest due to their remarkable potential for photonics, in terms of extended transmission window in the mid-infrared, ability of rare-earth loading suitable with a laser, and amplification in the near- and mid-infrared or high nonlinear optical properties. Here, we summarize information about possible radiation-induced defects, mechanisms of their formation, and the influence of the glass composition on this process. Special attention is paid to laser-induced structural modification of these glasses, including possible mechanisms of the laser-glass interaction, laser-induced crystallization, and waveguide writing. It is shown that these methods can be used for photostructuring of the glass and have great potential for practical applications.