Glaucoma · Prices

Ahmed valve & tube shunt glaucoma surgery cost (UK)

A glaucoma drainage device — an Ahmed valve, Baerveldt or PAUL tube shunt — lowers eye pressure for refractory glaucoma by draining fluid to a small plate on the eye wall. Consultant-led day-case surgery, quoted individually — neither of our partner clinics publishes a tube shunt price, so ask for a written quote. Here is what to expect privately in 2026 and what is included.

Quoted individuallyper eye, complex glaucoma
60–90 minDay-case surgery
Local anaestheticNumbed & awake
Refractory glaucomaWhen other surgery fails
Request a consultation Find your nearest clinic

Private glaucoma drainage device surgery — an Ahmed valve, Baerveldt or PAUL tube shunt — is quoted individually in 2026, as neither of our partner clinics publishes a tube shunt price. These implants drain fluid from inside the eye to a small plate on the eye wall, powerfully lowering pressure for refractory glaucoma or eyes that have failed other surgery. A private quote covers the consultant glaucoma surgeon, theatre, the implant, the procedure and post-operative reviews.

What is a glaucoma drainage device?

A glaucoma drainage device (also called a tube shunt or glaucoma valve) is a small implant that lowers the pressure inside the eye by draining fluid through a fine tube to a plate stitched onto the wall of the eye, where it is reabsorbed. It is used to protect the optic nerve in glaucoma when drops, laser and other surgery have not controlled the pressure.

Tube surgery is a powerful option for difficult glaucoma. Learn more about the glaucoma condition, or compare the full range of surgical options in our glaucoma surgery cost guide.

Pressure still too high after other treatments? A consultant assessment confirms whether a drainage device is right for your eye.

Book a glaucoma assessment

Which drainage device?

All of these devices are used in UK glaucoma practice. Your surgeon selects the implant based on your type of glaucoma, previous surgery and target pressure:

Valved

Ahmed valve

A built-in flow restrictor limits early over-drainage, giving a more predictable pressure in the first days.

Ahmed / ClearPath
Non-valved

Baerveldt

A larger plate with no valve, controlled by the surgeon with a suture, often giving very low long-term pressures.

Newer tube

PAUL implant

A modern small-diameter tube shunt designed to lower pressure effectively with fewer tube-related complications.

PAUL implant

If you have not yet had filtration surgery, your consultant may also discuss a trabeculectomy or a PreserFlo MicroShunt as alternatives.

What happens during the operation

Tube shunt surgery is a day-case operation lasting about 60–90 minutes, usually under local anaesthetic with optional sedation.

  1. The eye is numbed and gently held open, and the conjunctiva is opened to expose the sclera.
  2. The plate of the device is stitched onto the wall of the eye, well behind the iris.
  3. The fine tube is trimmed and inserted into the front chamber of the eye to drain fluid to the plate.
  4. The tube is covered with a protective graft (such as donor sclera or pericardium) to stop it eroding.
  5. The conjunctiva is closed and the eye is shielded before you go home.

Recovery week-by-week

Day of surgery

Eye shielded and blurred. Steroid and antibiotic drops begin. No driving or heavy lifting.

Week 1

First review to check the tube position and eye pressure. Mild grittiness and watering are normal.

Weeks 2–6

Pressure settles as the plate’s reservoir forms. With non-valved tubes the flow “opens up” around this time. Drops are adjusted.

1–3 months

Vision and pressure stabilise. Steroid drops are tapered and most normal activity resumes.

Tube shunt surgery cost

A tube shunt quote usually covers the consultant glaucoma surgeon, theatre and anaesthetic, the drainage device, the covering graft and your post-operative reviews.

  • Self-pay: quoted individually — neither of our partner clinics publishes a tube shunt price, so ask for a written quote.
  • Consultation: from £240 at Sapphire Eye Care (£340 with OCT).
  • Insurance: recognised by Bupa, AXA, Aviva, Vitality, Cigna and WPA.

See how tube surgery compares with laser, MIGS and filtration in our glaucoma surgery cost guide.

Frequently asked questions

Neither of our partner clinics publishes a price for glaucoma drainage device surgery such as an Ahmed valve, Baerveldt or PAUL tube shunt, and Sapphire Eye Care’s published glaucoma price list does not include it. Prices vary by clinic, so ask the clinic for a written quote and what it covers.
All three are glaucoma drainage devices — a small plate stitched to the eye wall with a fine tube that drains fluid from inside the eye. The Ahmed valve has a built-in flow restrictor that limits early over-drainage, while the Baerveldt and PAUL implants are non-valved and rely on the surgeon controlling flow with a suture. Your surgeon chooses the device to suit your type of glaucoma.
A drainage tube is generally preferred for refractory glaucoma, eyes that have already had a failed trabeculectomy, and complex glaucomas such as neovascular or uveitic glaucoma or eyes with extensive scarring. In many other cases a trabeculectomy is still first choice. Your consultant will advise which suits your eye.
Vision is usually blurred for a few weeks and settles over one to three months. You will use steroid and antibiotic drops and attend several reviews so your surgeon can check the tube position and eye pressure. Heavy lifting, swimming and eye rubbing are avoided for about a month.
A tube shunt substantially lowers eye pressure and many patients need fewer drops afterwards, but some eyes with advanced glaucoma still need one or more drops to reach the target pressure. Your consultant will review your medication at each visit.

Glaucoma

Explore glaucoma care

This page is part of our glaucoma care guide:

Related:

Take control of difficult glaucoma

Request a glaucoma consultation with visual-field and OCT imaging and a clear written quote.

Request a consultation Find your nearest clinic

Back to Prices

Updated on 29 Sep 2026