Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, often silently and gradually and can lead to permanent vision loss if untreated. At Centre for Sight, our expert team offers early detection and specialist management to protect your sight.
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Why It Matters / Prevalence & Risk Groups
Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of irreversible sight loss in the UK, making early detection essential for protecting long-term vision.
What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is an eye condition where the optic nerve, the pathway that carries visual information from the eye to the brain becomes damaged, most commonly due to raised pressure within the eye. This gradual damage can lead to loss of peripheral (side) vision and, if untreated, may cause irreversible sight loss.
In the early stages, glaucoma often has no symptoms, which is why many people are unaware they have it until the disease is more advanced. As it progresses, patients may notice patchy areas of missing vision, difficulty with contrast, or challenges navigating in low-light environments.
Glaucoma can affect one or both eyes, and the rate of progression varies between individuals. Some people experience slow, steady changes over many years, while others may deteriorate more quickly without early diagnosis and treatment.
Risk factors include increasing age, family history, higher eye pressure, short-sightedness, and certain medical conditions such as diabetes or long-term steroid use.
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What are the Symptoms of Glaucoma?
What Causes Glaucoma?
Optic nerve damage may be caused by raised eye pressure or a weakness in the structure surrounding the optic nerve. Our eye pressures may be within normal limits but damage occurs because there is a weakness in the optic nerve which in turn affects blood flow to the nerve.
The condition is believed to be a genetic disease and may not appear until later in life. It can also be caused by a severe eye infection, a blunt eye injury or trauma, inflammatory eye conditions, or blockage of the eye’s blood vessels.
The most common symptoms of glaucoma are:
Gradual loss of peripheral (side) vision — “tunnel vision” effect
Blurred vision or difficulty focusing, especially in low light
Seeing halos or coloured rings around lights
Eye discomfort, pressure, or pain
More common in acute/angle-closure glaucoma
Sudden vision changes, headaches, nausea
This may indicate acute angle-closure and requires immediate medical attention
What Causes Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions in which damage occurs to the optic nerve, the structure responsible for carrying visual signals from the eye to the brain. This damage is most commonly linked to a build-up of pressure inside the eye (intraocular pressure), though glaucoma can also develop even when eye pressure appears normal. Over time, this pressure or vulnerability causes gradual loss of peripheral vision, often without noticeable symptoms in the early stages.
Several factors can increase the risk of developing glaucoma, including age, family history, short-sightedness, steroid use, and certain medical conditions such as diabetes. It can affect one or both eyes and may progress at different rates.
Because glaucoma-related vision loss is permanent, early diagnosis and ongoing monitoring are essential to protect your sight.
How is Glaucoma Treated?
Glaucoma treatment focuses on lowering the pressure inside the eye to protect the optic nerve from further damage. The first step is usually prescription eye drops, which help reduce intraocular pressure. If one medication isn’t enough, your specialist may add additional drops to achieve the desired pressure level.
When drops don’t provide sufficient control, advanced laser treatments can be used to improve fluid drainage and stabilise eye pressure. These procedures are quick, targeted, and often help reduce dependence on daily drops.
If both drops and laser therapy are not enough, surgical options may be recommended. This can include Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS), a modern approach offering effective pressure reduction with smaller incisions, quicker recovery, and fewer complications compared to traditional surgery.
Your consultant will guide you through the safest and most effective treatment plan based on the type and stage of glaucoma.
Diagnosis & Assessment
Early and accurate diagnosis is essential in glaucoma, as vision loss cannot be reversed once it occurs. At Centre for Sight, your assessment is consultant-led and supported by advanced imaging to detect glaucoma at the earliest possible stage.
1
How We Assess Your Vision
We combine high-resolution scans, intraocular pressure measurements, and optic nerve analysis to identify early changes and evaluate your risk of progression.
Duration: 60-90 minutes
What to Expect
Detailed history & risk review
Eye pressure measurement
Optic nerve evaluation
Personalised recommendations
2
Tests and Scans You May Have
Our diagnostic suite includes OCT imaging, corneal thickness measurement, visual field testing, and angle assessment to build a complete picture of your eye health.
Duration: 60-90 minutes
What to Expect
OCT retinal scan
Corneal thickness check
Visual field test
Drainage angle assessment
3
What Happens at Your First Appointment
Your consultant will review all test results, explain your glaucoma subtype and stage, and discuss the safest and most effective treatment options for long-term eye health.
Duration: 60-90 minutes
What to Expect
Consultant-led review
Explanation of diagnosis
Treatment plan discussion
Opportunity to ask questions
Treatment Options
Effective glaucoma management focuses on lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) to prevent further optic nerve damage and preserve vision. Treatment is tailored to the type and severity of glaucoma, as well as each patient’s individual eye anatomy and lifestyle needs.
Eye Drops & Prescription Therapies
Prescription eye drops remain a common treatment and work by reducing fluid production in the eye or improving drainage. Your consultant may adjust or combine medications to achieve safe and sustained pressure control.
Laser Treatments
Laser procedures can help lower eye pressure by improving fluid drainage. DSLT (Direct SLT) offers a non-contact, rapid option, while SLT targets the drainage tissue to enhance outflow. ELIOS, performed alongside cataract surgery, creates micro-channels in the trabecular meshwork to support long-term pressure control without implants.
Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS)
When drops and laser therapy are insufficient, MIGS procedures can help reduce pressure with less trauma than traditional glaucoma surgery. These techniques preserve more of the eye’s natural anatomy, offer quicker recovery, and are often combined with cataract surgery.
Why Choose Centre for Sight
Centre for Sight is one of the UK’s most established and pioneering eye care providers, with over 30 years of experience and multiple national firsts. We were the first clinic in the UK to perform LASIK, and among the earliest to introduce femtosecond laser technology for both laser eye surgery and cataract procedures. Our consultants have collectively performed over 35,000 cataract surgeries, delivering exceptional outcomes backed by audited results and world-class surgical expertise. Patients benefit from fully consultant-led care, advanced diagnostic technology, and personalised treatment planning, all supported by our reputation as a trusted centre where ophthalmologists from around the world come to observe and train. At Centre for Sight, innovation, safety, and excellence are built into every step of your journey.
Patient Success Stories
Such great care and service here. I had a household accident last week and came to get my eye looked at, which they went out of their way to accomodate on the same morning of ringing. The team is amazing, the admin, nurses, and consultant were really kind and caring. The follow up care has also been great with calls after a week to check how I’m getting on. Everyone has been so warm and friendly, a huge heartfelt thank you!
Centre For Sight
sana ali
The best decision ever! My eye treatment at Centre for Sight has changed my life and enhanced my confidence. Having trifocal lenses implanted by Mr Sheraz Daya has restored my eyesight and I no longer need to use any lenses for reading, driving or any other activities.
From my first encounter with Mr Daya and his team at Centre for Sight, I felt most reassured that I was getting a very professional opinion and treatment. The day of the procedure was made much easier by the comforting support provided to me by Dr Espinosa whilst Mr Daya was performing my eye surgery. Overall, a fantastic experience and a great result.
Centre For Sight
Manuel Oyarzabal
Really proffesional
The professionalism I experienced right the way through the process was just brilliant. With all the testing prior to surgery, I felt very sure that I was doing the right thing. Saj Khan was not only very proffesional, he was also quite funny, which put you at ease.
Centre For Sight
Nigel Guthrie
A heartfelt thank you also to his team: Adora and Teresa, who have supported me from my very first appointment and always make me feel welcome, and Katie, Debra and Alex at Grinstead, who cared for me during surgery and helped me through one of the most anxious times of my life.
I cannot recommend Dr Daya and his team enough. For anyone who is unsure or afraid of taking this step — please know this really can change your life.
Centre For Sight
Rikesh Patel
Excellent Result
Initial tests were very thorough and the recommendations clearly set out. The operation itself was quick and painless. All the staff were friendly and professional. The aftercare was faultless.
Centre For Sight
Derek
Our Centres
London Centre
Centre for Sight London, located at 14 Queen Anne St, Suite 2, in the prestigious Harley Street area, offers consultations, follow-up care, and YAG laser procedures.
Sussex Centre
Hazelden Place, Turners Hill Road, East Grinstead, West Sussex, RH19 4RH
Arguably the most modern private eye hospital in the UK, our hospital in Sussex offers Laser Vision Correction, Corneal Transplants, Stem Cell Surgery and more.
Surrey Centre
48 High Street, Oxshott, Surrey, KT22 0JR
Centre for Sight London, located at 14 Queen Anne St, Suite 2, in the prestigious Harley Street area, offers consultations, follow-up care, and YAG laser procedures.
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Glaucoma FAQs
Find answers to some of the most commonly asked questions below:
Can glaucoma be cured?
There is currently no cure, but early diagnosis and treatment can slow or stop further vision loss. Many people with glaucoma maintain good quality of life with ongoing care.
Who is most at risk from glaucoma?
Glaucoma is believed to be a genetic disease and may not appear until later in life. As it usually appears later in life, your risk increases as you age. In the UK, it’s thought that about 1 in 50 people aged over 40 has the condition.
Why are regular eye exams important?
Since glaucoma comes with few warning signs, regular eye exams are important for detecting it early enough to allow successful treatment.
How is glaucoma managed?
After diagnosis, treatments include eye drops, laser eye treatments and surgery. For more information, check out our treatment page.
Have Questions?
Our patient care team is here to answer any questions you may have.