AIM: To compare the two methods for the measurement of glaucoma patients' intraocular pressure(IOP)between Goldmann applanation tonometer(GAT)and non-contact tonometer(NCT)and find the laws of the two methods.

METHODS: The IOP of 108 glaucoma patients(206 eyes)were measured by GAT and NCT respectively.

RESULTS: In 108 glaucoma patients, the average IOP of 206 eyes was 29.77±10.27mmHg by GAT and 24.59±8.58mmHg by NCT. There was significant difference between GAT and NCT(P<0.01). The higher of IOP, the difference between GAT and NCT was greater.

CONCLUSION: The measurement results with NCT were lower than that of GAT. The higher of IOP, the difference between GAT and NCT was greater. It's better to measure IOP by GAT for the glaucoma patients, in order to avoid the misdiagnosis and mistreatment of glaucoma.