Glaucoma care protects remaining vision.
Glaucoma needs long-term monitoring. Treatment lowers pressure when the optic nerve is at risk.
Glaucoma and Your Long-Term Vision
Glaucoma gradually damages the optic nerve, often quietly and without early symptoms, which is why it can progress unnoticed. Raised pressure within the eye is a major risk factor, and diagnosis draws on imaging and visual-field testing to build a complete picture of your eyes.
The aim of treatment is to preserve the vision you still have. Your target pressure is considered individually, guided by the degree of existing damage and how the condition is progressing over time.
Detecting Changes You Cannot Feel
- Protecting Your Remaining VisionTreatment is designed to lower the risk of further optic-nerve damage and protect the sight you still rely on. It cannot restore vision that has already been lost, which is why preserving what remains is the priority.
- A Pressure Goal Set for YouYour target pressure is set individually rather than to a single fixed number, guided by the extent of current damage and the rate at which the condition is changing.
- Balancing Control and Treatment BurdenThe choice of treatment reflects the stage of your disease and the likely side effects of each option, balancing effective pressure control against the burden treatment places on everyday life.
A Care Pathway Guided by Repeat Testing
Your baseline establishes a pressure target, and repeat testing over time shows whether that treatment is working as intended.
- Establish a Clear BaselineYour baseline may include measurements of eye pressure and detailed optic-nerve testing, establishing the foundation for everything that follows. The drainage angle of the eye may also be assessed where relevant.
- Set a Target and PlanThe target pressure reflects the current degree of damage and the risk of progression, considered alongside your general health, so the plan is realistic and personalised to you.
- Choose the Most Effective ApproachWhere appropriate, treatment begins with the simplest effective option, from eye drops and laser therapy to advanced surgical care, always personalised to the needs of your eyes.
- Track Structure and FunctionRepeat testing over time shows whether the condition is changing, monitoring both structure and function. Regular pressure checks support that assessment and help guide your ongoing care.
Suitability, Recovery & Your Care Journey
- When MIGS May Be DiscussedMIGS may be considered during cataract surgery, and for some patients it can also reduce reliance on daily drops. In more advanced disease it may not lower pressure sufficiently on its own, and a different operation may then be more suitable. Your examination and measurements guide this decision.
- Precision Monitoring, Every Four MonthsRegular eye pressure checks, OCT scans and visual field assessments every four months help track glaucoma closely, allowing your treatment plan to remain precise, proactive and personalised.
- The Trade-offs of Pressure ControlEach approach carries its own considerations. Eye drops can cause irritation, laser treatment can lead to inflammation or short-lived pressure spikes, and surgery carries a risk of bleeding or infection. Pressure may occasionally remain too high or become too low, and further treatment may then be needed. Regular monitoring helps any such concerns be identified and addressed promptly.
Your Glaucoma Questions, Answered
Clear answers to the questions patients ask most about glaucoma. Your examination determines what applies to your eyes.
Can I have glaucoma with normal eye pressure?
Yes. Glaucoma is defined by damage to the optic nerve, and while eye pressure is an important risk factor, it is not the diagnosis in itself. This is why some people develop glaucoma even when their pressure reads within the normal range.
Can treatment bring back vision already lost?
Current treatment is directed at preserving the vision you still have by lowering the risk of further damage. Once optic-nerve loss is established it is usually permanent, which is why protecting remaining sight is the priority.
What does MIGS mean?
MIGS stands for minimally invasive glaucoma surgery. These procedures work in different ways to help lower pressure, and they do not suit every type of glaucoma, so your examination determines whether MIGS is appropriate for you.
Will I need lifelong follow-up?
Glaucoma is usually a long-term condition, so regular monitoring remains important even after treatment. Both your eye pressure and the behaviour of the disease can change over time, and ongoing follow-up allows your care to be adjusted as needed.
iStent inject at the clinic
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