What do doctors do to check your eye pressure?

Eye exam: There are two main ways to clinically check eye pressure - the first is contact using a special dye and is the most accurate. The second is using an air puff which is quick but not as good. There are other types which check through the lid or on the cornea and even a handheld pen-like device but they are not commonly used.

Tonometry: The real doctors (ophthalmologists) usually check pressure after numbing the eye with a blue light device called a tonometer. Optometrists may not have this skill and usually use an air puff device which gives an approximate measure. The level of pressure is important and if too high may start to affect vision in a condition termed glaucoma.