Purpose:: To report on the development of the Schiøtz tonometer and to put its subsequent role into perspective with regard to the history of glaucoma, the career of Hjalmar Schiøtz (1850–1927), and the evolution of the tonometer leading up to the development of the Goldmann tonometer.
Introduction:: The story of physicians’ attempts to assess intraocular pressure goes back many centuries. Mechanical instruments designed for this purpose were first introduced in the latter part of the 19th century, but did not gain traction until the introduction of the Schiøtz tonometer in 1905. This report reviews details about this instrument, its inventor and its role in glaucoma treatment.