Glaucoma is a condition where the optic nerve becomes damaged and if left untreated, can lead to vision loss

We can control eye pressure with numerous pharmaceutical, surgical and laser-based approaches

Glaucoma is a condition where the optic nerve becomes damaged and if left untreated can lead to vision loss

We can control eye pressure with numerous pharmaceutical, surgical and laser-based approaches

Stop the progression of glaucoma and relieve your worries

Quickly discover more about this condition and how we treat it
Glaucoma incidence / prevalence
  • Glaucoma is a common eye condition where the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain, becomes damaged.
  • Glaucoma is the leading cause of global irreversible blindness.
  • The prevalence of glaucoma increases with advancing age.
  • People over 60 years of age, family members of those already diagnosed with glaucoma, steroid users, diabetics, as well as those with high short-sightedness or near-sightedness (myopia), hypertension, central cornea thickness of <5 mm, and eye injury are at an increased risk of glaucoma.
  • There are two major types of glaucoma: primary and secondary glau­coma. Both of these have two major subtypes (open-angle glaucoma and angle-closure glaucoma).
  • Open-angle glaucoma
    • Open-angle glaucoma is the most common form of glaucoma, accounting for at least 90% of all glaucoma cases. “Open-angle” means that the angle where the iris meets the cornea is as wide and open as it should be. This type develops slowly and is a lifelong condition. It causes symptoms and damage that you do not notice.
  • Angle-closure glaucoma
    • Angle-closure glaucoma is a less common form of glaucoma. Unlike open-angle glaucoma, angle-closure glaucoma is a result of the angle between the iris and cornea closing. This type develops very quickly and has symptoms and damage that are usually very noticeable. This type of glaucoma demands immediate medical attention.
  • Symptoms of angle closure glaucoma may include:
    • Inflammation and pain
    • Pressure over the eye
    • Moderate pupil dilation that’s non-reactive to light
    • A cloudy cornea
    • Blurring and decreased visual acuity
    • Extreme sensitivity to light
    • Seeing halos around lights
    • Nausea and/or vomiting
  • Glaucoma can be asymptomatic for a prolonged time – Glaucoma is sometimes called the “silent thief of sight” because it slowly damages the eyes and can cause irreparable harm before there is any vision loss.1Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. 2021. Corneal Collagen Crosslinking (CXL) for Keratoconus | Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. [online] Available at: <https://www.hey.nhs.uk/patient-leaflet/corneal-collagen-crosslinking-cxl-for-keratoconus/> [Accessed 24 June 2021].
  • Open-angle glaucoma
    • This type of glaucoma Is caused by the slow clogging of the drainage canals, resulting in increased eye pressure.
  • Angle-closure glaucoma
    • This type of glaucoma is caused by blocked drainage canals, resulting in a sudden rise in intraocular pressure.

In both cases, this excess fluid pressure pushes against the delicate optic nerve that connects the eye to the brain. If the pressure remains too high for too long, the nerve is damaged, and irreversible vision loss can occur.

  • We recommend checking everyone for glaucoma at around age 35 and again at age 40. Those considered to be at higher risk, including those over the age of 60, should have their eye pressure checked every year or two.
  • We will use tonometry, a quick and simple test that checks the pressure inside your eyes. After applying numbing drops, we will gently press the tonometer against the eye to measure and record its resistance.
  • We can also use an ophthalmoscope to examine the shape and colour of your optic nerve. The ophthalmoscope magnifies and lights up the inside of the eye. We will run additional tests if the optic nerve appears to be cupped or is not a healthy pink colour.
  • Perimetry is a test that maps the field of vision to help diagnose and monitor vision loss. Looking straight ahead into a white, bowl-shaped area, we’ll ask you to indicate when you’re able to detect lights as they enter your field of vision. This map allows us to see any pattern of visual changes caused by the early stages of glaucoma. We can map your visual fields yearly or more frequently if needed. In addition, we will take photographs of the optic nerve at periodic intervals to assess for enlargement of the inside of the optic nerve, which can indicate worsening.
  • We can perform a gonioscopy exam to check whether the angle where the iris meets the cornea is open or closed. This helps your doctor determine if they are dealing with open-angle glaucoma or narrow-angle glaucoma.
  • While glaucoma cannot be cured, we can usually control it by decreasing the pressure within the eye with drops, lasers, or surgery. With early treatment, glaucoma-related vision loss may be minimised or stopped.
  • To control glaucoma, we will use one of three basic types of treatment: medicines, laser surgery, or filtration surgery. The goal of treatment is to lower the pressure in the eye.
    • Medicines come in pill and eye drop form. They work by either slowing the fluid production within the eye or improving the flow through the drainage meshwork. Most glaucoma medications must be taken between one to three times every day without fail to be effective. Most eye drops are well tolerated and have minimal side effects. The doctor will choose the drop or drops that will be most effective. You should never stop taking these medicines without consulting your doctor. You should notify all of your other doctors about the medications you are taking.
    • Laser
      • We can also treat a blocked or dysfunctional drainage canal with Argon laser trabeculoplasty and selective laser trabeculoplasty. Once we’ve numbed your eye with numbing eye drops, we apply the laser beam to the trabecular meshwork resulting in an improved drainage rate. When laser surgery is successful, it may reduce or eliminate the need for daily medications.
      • Endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation (ECP) is another type of laser procedure. Instead of treating the drainage canal, it treats the ciliary body. Treating the ciliary body reduces the amount of fluid production, thereby reducing the intraocular pressure.
      • ECP is most often performed along with cataract surgery but can be done on an outpatient basis when it’s in your best interest. The majority of patients having ECP reduce or eliminate their need to take glaucoma medications.
    • Surgery
      • Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) is a newer surgical procedure that involves using microscopic-sized equipment (i.e. iStent) and incisions to reduce some of the complications and healing time of traditional glaucoma procedures.
      • We perform filtration surgery when medicines and/or laser surgery are unsuccessful in controlling eye pressure. We create a new drainage channel during this microscopic procedure to allow fluid to drain from the eye.

Question:

  • How long do I need to continue to take drops?

Answer:

  • Most patients will need to continue drops for life to prevent vision loss
    A MIGS procedure can help a patient reduce or eliminate the need for drops.

Question:

  • Will I go blind from glaucoma?

Answer:

  • If you are diagnosed early and receive proper treatment, we can prevent blindness in the vast majority of patients.

Question:

  • What is the normal pressure of the eye, and is it related to my blood pressure?

Answer:

Normal pressure inside the eye ranges from 12 – 21 mmHg and is independent of your blood pressure. While glaucoma is usually associated with elevated eye pressure, some patients with normal pressures may still develop glaucoma, especially if they have thin corneas.

Say goodbye to your vision problems and start seeing life in a whole new way

Take your first step today in exploring all that you can do for healthy, vibrant eyes.

Say goodbye to your vision problems and start seeing life in a whole new way

Take your first step today in exploring all that you can do for healthy, vibrant eyes.

Gain visual freedom in 3 easy steps

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Not everyone is suitable for reading glasses treatment. The first step is to get a clear answer on whether there is a treatment option that can help you or not. Give our friendly team a call on 07943 872888 or book a free assessment online now.

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After treatment, people across the country tell us how surprised they are by how quickly their life changed and how young they feel. Reading a restaurant menu, scanning their phone or seeing the dials on the car dashboard are all possible once more. Most people say that they wish they had done it years earlier!

What our patients say…

We’ve helped thousands of happy patients in Surrey and Kent gain freedom with eye surgery

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

“I would like to thank you all for looking after me so well. This was the first time I had ever had any treatment to my eye and whilst somewhat tense about the procedure I can honestly say that it went like clockwork.”

Mr J.OP

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

“Thank you and your team very much indeed for looking after me during my initial visit and the day of cataract surgery.
I didn’t know what to expect, you put me at ease and everyone was very professional-excellent job!”

J, Tunbridge Wells

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Academic resources on glaucoma

Learn more about glaucoma from authoritative sources. These links will take you off our website.

This article provides an understanding of glaucoma symptoms, including increased eye pressure, vision loss, and peripheral vision issues. It offers insights into diagnosis, treatment, and preventive measures for glaucoma. Click here to learn more.

Glaucoma is often called the “silent thief of sight,” because most of its types typically cause no pain and produce no symptoms until noticeable vision loss occurs. This comprehensive resource covers all aspects of glaucoma, including its causes, types, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options, providing valuable insights for understanding and managing the condition. Click here to learn more.

Hello, I’m Lucia Pelosini MD, your eye surgeon in Surrey & Kent

My vision is to provide my patients with warm and personalised guidance through their cataract surgery journey from start to finish. I run a highly individualized service to treat discerning patients with presbyopia (aging eyes) and cataracts who want the best treatment and technology available.

Ms. Lucia Pelosini

Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon,
MD, MRCSEd, FRCOphth, CertLRS