Objective: To determine the effectiveness of digital photography with a non-mydriatic retinal camera and optical coherence tomography (OCT) as screening methods for the early detection of glaucoma. Method: A systematic review was carried out in the Medline, LILACS and SciELO bibliographic databases, using the search strategy: adult AND glaucoma AND “tomography, optical coherence” OR “optical coherence tomography” OR retinography OR “fundus photography” OR “optic disc photographs” AND “early diagnosis” OR “vision screening” AND effectiveness OR “sensitivity and specificity.” Results: Of the 244 records identified, 8 articles were included for the analysis. Of these, 4 of the studies show that OCT has a sensitivity and specificity equal to or greater than 90% for the detection of glaucoma and only 1 study shows values below 90%. All the studies that use retinography as a measurement instrument show sensitivities lower than 80%. Half of these studies show that the sensitivity and specificity of retinography increases with the application of automated learning algorithms and even better, if this instrument is complemented with OCT or computerized perimetry. Conclusion: The high sensitivity and specificity of OCT in the diagnosis of glaucoma is evidenced in comparison with retinography (lower sensitivity).