Private glaucoma drainage device surgery — an Ahmed valve, Baerveldt or PAUL tube shunt — starts from £7,200 per eye in 2026, and is typically £7,200–£8,000. 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. Prices are all-inclusive of 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 assessmentWhich 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:
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.
- The eye is numbed and gently held open, and the conjunctiva is opened to expose the sclera.
- The plate of the device is stitched onto the wall of the eye, well behind the iris.
- The fine tube is trimmed and inserted into the front chamber of the eye to drain fluid to the plate.
- The tube is covered with a protective graft (such as donor sclera or pericardium) to stop it eroding.
- 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
Our pricing is all-inclusive: consultant glaucoma surgeon, theatre and anaesthetic, the drainage device, the covering graft and your post-operative reviews.
- Self-pay: from £7,200 per eye (typically £7,200–£8,000 depending on the device).
- Consultation: typically £200–£350 with visual fields and OCT, often redeemable against treatment.
- Insurance: recognised by Bupa, AXA, Aviva, Vitality, Cigna and WPA — we handle authorisation.
See how tube surgery compares with laser, MIGS and filtration in our glaucoma surgery cost guide.