Glaucoma surgery & treatment in Chiswick, West London from one of the UK’s most trusted surgeons

This depends on a number of factors: the type of glaucoma, the degree of the disease, and patient preferences. Normally, we would start with the least invasive option. In most cases, drops are very effective. In some types of glaucoma (mainly open angle), a laser treatment called Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) can be an option to control eye pressure without the use of drops.

For some patients, drops or laser are not an option because of drop intolerance or in-effectivity; that is when surgery is considered. There are a number of surgical procedures to control glaucoma and each one has its pros and cons and different surgical options would be suited to different patients.

The treatment of glaucoma is tailormade and personal to each patient. It is best to have a very informed discussion with your ophthalmologist and together decide on the best treatment option for you.

There are a number of laser treatment options depending on the type of glaucoma and the severity of the disease:

Laser peripheral iridotomy (PI): this is for patients with narrow angle glaucoma. The laser is performed with topical anaesthesia. You can experience slight discomfort but it is not painful.
Selective Laser trabeculoplasty (SLT): this is for open angle glaucoma patients. Again performed under topical anaesthesia and is essentially pain free.
Diode laser (transscleral or micropulse): performed usually for those with advanced glaucoma. You would need an anaesthetic block to numb the eye fully as this can be uncomfortable and is usually performed in the operating theatre.

In some cases, cataract surgery can be a treatment for glaucoma. This is specific for patients with narrow/closed angle glaucoma. For those with open angle, cataract surgery is known to temporarily lower the eye pressure but when combined with a MIGS, it can again be offered as a treatment option for patients with mild to moderate disease who have both cataract and glaucoma.

Not immediately. The vision is normally temporarily blurred after the laser procedure. You will be advised not to drive for up to 24 hours from when the procedure is performed.

Laser treatment is an option to treat glaucoma and halt the disease progression. It does not reverse any existing damage sustained from the glaucoma. Different laser modalities are suitable for different types of glaucoma. Your consultant will discuss what type of glaucoma you have and what laser treatment option is the most suitable.