Abstract: A method using Na₂O₂ to melt and decompose the sample,and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to test rare earth elements in optical glass has been established. The testing of the national standard reference materials: GBW07158,GBW07159,GBW07160 and GBW07161,with this method showed that the results conform to the certified values.The method has good selectivity,good sensitivity and quantitative accuracy,so it is suitable for the determination of rare earth elements in optical glass,with satisfactory results.