Abstract: Intraocular pressure measurement is a main method for evaluating treatment effect and for follow-up for glaucoma, which is  very important in clinical work. Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT) and Schiotz’s tonometry are the most widely used methods for measuring intraocular pressure worldwide. In the last 10 years, several new instruments for measuring intraocular pressure have emerged, such as dynamic contour tonometry (DCT), rebound tonometry, Tono-Pen tonometry, Diaton tonometer and the proview phosphene tonometer. Their mechanism are very different. There are also conflicting opinions about their clinical applications. The IOP measured by DCT method has a good correlation with that by GAT, and corneal parameters have no influence to the IOP measured by DCT. But DCT needs more patients’ coordination. Rebound tonometry, Tono-Pen tonometry, Diaton tonometer and the Proview phosphene tonometer are all convenient, which can be used without topical anesthesia and appears to be advantageous for glaucoma screening. However, these instruments are not widely used in clinical work. Further studies are needed to determine whether they are accurate for measuring intraocular pressure in glaucoma patients. (Ophthalmol CHN, 2012, 21: 136-140)

Key words: tonometer, glaucoma