AIM: To compare the non-invasive tear film break-up time (NIBUT), tear break up time (TBUT), basal tear secretion (BTS) and blink rate in four ethnic groups: Malay, Chinese, Indian and Nigerian. METHODS: Totally 120 healthy (61 males and 59 females) subjects (without dry eye symptoms and ocular surface disorder) with the age 20 to 39 years were recruited; 30 were Malays, 30 were Chinese, 31 were Indians and 29 were Nigerians. Based on McMonnies questionnaire and clinical examination, normal subjects were selected. NIBUT, TBUT, BTS were assessed in only one eye (right) of each subject and blink rate was also assessed. RESULTS: There was significant difference in the NIBUT, TBUT, BTS and blink rate among 4 different ethnic groups (P=0.018, 0.001, 0.011, and 0.004 respectively). No statistically significant difference of NIBUT, TBUT, BTS and blink rate was found between the genders among different ethnic groups. Indian had higher median for NIBUT (10±6s), TBUT (7±5s) and BTS (20±20 mm) than other races. Chinese had lower median for NIBUT (7.5±4s) and TBUT (4±2s) while Malay had for BTS (9.5±16 mm) among the groups. There was no significant correlation of blink rate with NIBUT (r=-0.119, P=0.195), TBUT (r=-0.086, P=0.352), and BTS (r=-0.123, P=0.180) respectively. CONCLUSION: The tear-film measurement values are variability in four ethnic groups.