In order to control residual stress distribution in glass, techniques based on the phenomenon of photoelasticity are efficient, though subject to the inherent limitations of all optical techniques. To mitigate these limitations, we exploit the phenomenon of acoustoelasticity to estimate residual stress distribution, using surface acoustic waves. In this study, we characterize the surface residual stresses using high frequency Rayleigh waves. From the dispersion of surface waves caused by the presence of residual stress fields, we estimate, by inverse method, the characteristics of residual stress distribution. SAW-IDT sensors are used to generate the quasi-monochromatic Rayleigh waves and the detection of these waves is obtained with interferometer probe.