Abstract: Tonometers are disclosed for measuring intraocular pressure (IOP) and having an ocular probe movable a predetermined distance in a linear manner by a motor against the closed eyelid of a patient's test eye, a distance sensor configured to monitor the probe position as the probe is moved against the eyelid and provide a distance measurement, a mechanism for aligning the probe with the center of the cornea underneath the closed eyelid, and a force sensor configured to measure force on the ocular probe as it is moved against the closed eyelid by the motor and provide a force measurement, wherein a value indicative of IOP of the test eye is determined from the force and distance measurements. Methods for measuring IOP using the inventive tonometers are also disclosed.