No, gonioscopy is not a painful test.  After an anesthetic drop is
placed on the eye, a mirrored contact lens is held onto the cornea to
look into the drainage angle.  This takes about 30-45 seconds per eye
to perform.  It might feel a little strange to feel the edge of the
contact lens on or near the edge of the eyelids, but you will not feel
the lens on the cornea, which should be numb.  I frequently check
vision, IOP, gonioscopy, and dilate new glaucoma patients all on the
same visit without a complaint.
--Rick Cohn, MD
Glaucoma Specialist
Winter Park, FL