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AIM: To compare intraocular pressure(IOP)fluctuations measured at home and in the clinic over a 24-hour period.<p>METHODS: A prospective investigational study. A total of 120 Chinese participants were selected from five communities in the Chengdu area. Patients underwent a clinical interview and IOP was measured both at home and in the clinic. IOP were measured at 8 a.m., 10 a.m., 12 a.m., 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m., 8 p.m., 10 p.m., 2 a.m., 6 a.m. using the same pneumatonometer. Measurements were taken in the sitting position. <p>RESULTS: The average 24-hour IOP measured in the clinic was slightly lower than that at home. The mean difference in 24-hour IOP measurements between home and clinic was 0.27 mmHg. The IOP fluctuation in the clinic was higher than at home(the mean difference was 0.01 mmHg). There was no statistically significant difference in the average 24-hour IOP measured at home <i>vs</i> in the clinic. The average IOP measured at 2 p.m. at home(16.04±5.95 mmHg)was significantly higher compared with the measurement in the clinic(15.43±5.16 mmHg)(<i>P</i><0.05). The overall agreement between 24-hour IOP measurements made in the clinic and at home in diagnosis of primary open angle glaucoma was 85.0%(<i>K</i> coefficient: 0.68). <p>CONCLUSION: The 24-hour IOP measured in the clinic was similar to that measured at home, and the method of measuring IOP in the clinic is acceptable in diagnosing primary open angle glaucoma.