Glaucoma

What is Glaucoma?

“A blinding condition which can be prevented with the latest safe and modern treatments.”

Mr Vik Sharma

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a serious eye condition that occurs due to damage to the optic nerve. Glaucoma causes the affected person to experience vision problems, which progressively worsen over time.

Glaucoma can, worryingly, go undetected until your eyes have suffered permanent damage.

Unfortunately, at present, there is no cure available to treat glaucoma. However, with early diagnosis and timely treatment, you will be able to prevent your eyesight from worsening and retain your sight. For this reason, regular eye checks with a qualified ophthalmologist are vital.

At Harley Street Eye Hospital, our facilities and surgeons deliver the top glaucoma surgery there is. We have vast experience working with glaucoma patients, and we can provide the customised treatment you require.

Glaucoma is usually caused by increased pressure in your eye which then compresses the optic nerve. Although, it should be noted that some types of glaucoma can present with no increased pressure in the eye, which can make them tricky to diagnose.

Who is most vulnerable to glaucoma?

Typically, the following individuals are vulnerable to glaucoma:

  • People with poor vision or other eye conditions
  • People over the age of 40
  • People with thin and sensitive corneas
  • People with diabetes, high blood pressure or anaemia
  • People with a genetic vulnerability to glaucoma
  • People who have experienced eye injury

What are the symptoms of glaucoma?

  • Headaches
  • Red eyes
  • Tunnel vision
  • Dizziness
  • Blurry vision
  • Halo-rings in the line of sight
  • A vision that progressively worsens – initially in the peripheral vision, later centrally
  • Pain on and around the eye
  • Nausea and vomiting

Diagnosing glaucoma

Harley Street Eye Hospital has the winning combination of highly trained ophthalmologists and the most advanced diagnostic equipment giving you the best possible care.


Did you know...

A pressure test will only detect approximately 60% of glaucoma which is caused by pressure.


Did you know...

2% of the UK population suffers from glaucoma, that's approximately 1,357,720 people.

Treating glaucoma

At Harley Street Eye Hospital, our team of consultants will use a combination of medicine, laser treatment, and surgical procedures to help you keep your eyesight. Our treatments are highly-personalised, and your medical requirements and needs are taken into consideration. Our surgeons are trained in delivering the best glaucoma surgery in the United Kingdom.


Eye Drops

Some less severe cases eye drops can be used to lower the eye pressure. Whilst eye drops can be great as they are not invasive, they are also not a permanent solution to glaucoma treatment.


Laser treatment

Laser treatment has become increasingly popular and is also a non-invasive procedure. Although, laser surgery is not a permanent solution, and needs to be repeated after a couple of years.


Surgery for glaucoma

Glaucoma MIGS surgery - modified with minimally invasive techniques providing safer & quicker surgery with microtube implants, achieving high success rates and faster recovery. New implants and shunts to lower pressure - effective & safe.

 
Trabeculectomy

We use powerful anti-scarring agents and releasable stitches to give you optimal results. Our leading glaucoma specialists will guide you on which procedure will give you the best pressure control. At Harley Street Eye Hospital, these glaucoma surgeries can be performed under local anaesthetic so you can return home on the same day as your procedure.


Surgery for glaucoma - OMNI

The OMNI Surgical System helps an ophthalmologist “unclog the sink”, or relieve pressure buildup in the eye,by removing unnecessary blockages. OMNI improves the natural flow of fluid across all points with a simple procedure.


XEN Implant

XEN micro tube drainage surgery: New 2 minute procedure with no stitches or cuts, whilst being more effective than other micro implants in most glaucoma conditions. The xen utilises the same principles as the effective gold standard Trabeculectomy or Tube procedure but without the pain or stitches or complications.