Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, usually linked to raised pressure inside the eye. It often develops with no early symptoms, so testing matters. Most glaucoma is controlled with daily eye drops; where drops are not enough or not tolerated, SLT laser (from £1,200 per eye) and minimally invasive surgery can lower pressure. A private glaucoma assessment starts from £250 and includes eye pressure measurement, an OCT optic-nerve scan and a visual field test, with a clear written plan.
What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma damages the optic nerve — the cable that carries images from your eye to your brain. The damage is often caused by raised intraocular pressure (IOP), but it can also occur when pressure is in the normal range. Left untreated, glaucoma slowly erodes peripheral (side) vision and, in advanced cases, central vision. Damage that has already happened cannot be reversed, which is why early diagnosis and consistent monitoring are so important.
In the UK, glaucoma is often picked up at a routine optician visit before you notice any change in your sight. If you have been told you have raised eye pressure, suspected glaucoma, or optic-nerve changes, a structured assessment confirms the diagnosis and sets the safest plan. You can read more about the condition on our glaucoma condition overview.
Sudden severe eye pain, rapid loss of vision, or halos with nausea? This may be acute angle-closure glaucoma — a medical emergency. Call 111 or attend A&E now. This page is for non-emergency private appointments.
Book a glaucoma assessmentSymptoms & who is at risk
- Often no early symptoms — open-angle glaucoma is usually painless and silent at first
- Gradual loss of side vision — bumping into objects, missing things to one side
- Difficulty in low light and, later, reduced central vision
- Acute attack symptoms — sudden pain, red eye, halos and nausea (an emergency)
Risk rises with age (40+), a family history of glaucoma, Black African, Black Caribbean or Asian heritage, high short- or long-sight, diabetes, and long-term steroid use. If any of these apply to you, regular checks and a glaucoma review of any borderline results are sensible.
Treatment options (drops, laser, surgery)
Glaucoma treatment lowers eye pressure to a level that protects your optic nerve. The right pathway depends on the type and severity of glaucoma, how quickly it is changing, your eye anatomy, and how well you tolerate each treatment.
Where surgery is appropriate, our partner surgeons offer the full range of modern options, including iStent MIGS, Hydrus Microstent, OMNI canaloplasty, Preserflo MicroShunt, Xen gel stent, the PAUL tube implant, and the iDose TR sustained-release implant. For a plain-English comparison, see our guide to drops vs SLT vs MIGS surgery.
Your glaucoma assessment: what happens
A glaucoma appointment is designed to confirm whether glaucoma is present, understand your individual risk, and agree a treatment and monitoring plan. If you are attending after an optician referral, bring any letters or printouts so we can compare results. Allow around 60–90 minutes; your pupils may be dilated, so consider arranging transport.
- Eye pressure (IOP) is measured to assess your main modifiable risk factor.
- The optic nerve is examined and imaged with an OCT scan of the retinal nerve fibre layer.
- A visual field test checks your peripheral vision for any functional loss.
- Gonioscopy assesses the drainage angle, and pachymetry measures corneal thickness to refine how your pressure is interpreted.
- Your consultant explains the results, confirms your diagnosis (or whether it stays "suspected"), and agrees a target pressure and plan.
Monitoring & follow-up
Glaucoma is usually a long-term condition, so the goal is a monitoring rhythm that catches any change early. Your schedule is individualised to your risk and stability.
Baseline
Pressure, OCT and visual fields establish a reliable starting point and your target pressure.
Early review
If treatment starts, we confirm how your eye responds to drops or SLT laser and adjust if needed.
Ongoing monitoring
Repeat scans and field tests at intervals matched to your risk — more often if advanced or progressing.
Plan adjustments
Treatment is stepped up to laser or surgery if the target pressure is not met or progression is detected.
Cost & insurance
Private glaucoma care varies with the tests required and whether treatment is recommended. We aim to be transparent about what your appointment includes.
- Self-pay: initial consultation from £250; comprehensive assessment (consultation, OCT and visual fields) from around £450.
- SLT laser: from £1,200 per eye — see SLT laser pricing.
- Surgery: MIGS and drainage procedures are quoted individually — see glaucoma surgery costs.
- Insurance: recognised by major UK insurers; we can provide a summary letter for your records.
For a full breakdown, see our glaucoma price guide.