Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, usually because fluid pressure inside the eye rises too high. It's a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, yet in most cases it causes no pain or obvious symptoms until vision has already been lost. Because damage cannot be reversed, our Glaucoma Clinic focuses on early detection, accurate diagnosis, and controlling eye pressure for life to prevent further loss.
Conditions we treat
- Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) — the most common form, develops slowly and painlessly
- Primary angle-closure glaucoma — the drainage angle is blocked; can be chronic or a sudden emergency
- Normal-tension glaucoma — optic nerve damage even when eye pressure is statistically "normal"
- Congenital and childhood glaucoma — rare, present at or soon after birth
- Secondary glaucoma — from trauma, prior surgery, diabetes, retinal vascular disease, long-term steroid use, advanced cataract, or uveitis
Diagnosis & technology
- Tonometry (including non-contact "air-puff") — measures intraocular pressure
- Gonioscopy — examines the drainage angle to distinguish open-angle from angle-closure
- Dilated optic nerve examination / optic disc imaging
- Visual field testing (automated perimetry), including frequency-doubling and blue-yellow protocols for very early loss
- Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) of the optic nerve and nerve fibre layer
- Pachymetry — corneal thickness, which affects pressure readings and risk
- Needs hospital confirmation: Old-site equipment list (Non-Contact Tonometer, GDX, FDT, Automated Perimetry, OCT) is from 2010 — please confirm current equipment, since OCT has largely superseded GDX in most modern practices
Treatment options
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Eye drops — usually first-line; different classes reduce fluid production or improve drainage. Consistent, on-time use matters since missed doses let pressure rise unnoticed
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Laser treatment — e.g. selective laser trabeculoplasty for open-angle glaucoma, or laser iridotomy for angle-closure — often outpatient
- Needs hospital confirmation: Surgery — trabeculectomy, drainage implant (tube shunt), or minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) when drops and laser aren't enough; confirm which procedures BSEH currently offers
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Lifelong monitoring — even with well-controlled pressure, regular follow-up is essential since the disease can progress silently
When to seek care
Acute angle-closure glaucoma is a true emergency: severe eye pain, sudden blurred vision, a red eye, coloured halos around lights, and nausea/vomiting together need same-day emergency eye care — delay can mean permanent vision loss within hours to days. For everyone else, since most glaucoma has no early symptoms, the priority is routine screening rather than waiting for symptoms — particularly over 40, with a family history, diabetes, long-term steroid use, an eye injury, or significant refractive error.
Frequently asked questions
Is glaucoma the same as high eye pressure?
Not exactly. High pressure is the most important risk factor, but glaucoma is diagnosed by optic nerve damage, which can occasionally occur even at normal pressure.
I have no symptoms — why do I need a glaucoma check?
Most glaucoma causes no pain or noticeable symptoms until significant, irreversible vision loss has occurred — regular exams are the only reliable way to catch it early.
Can glaucoma be cured?
No — vision already lost cannot be restored. But with timely diagnosis and consistent treatment, pressure can usually be controlled well enough to prevent or slow further loss.
Does glaucoma run in families?
It can. If a close family member has glaucoma, others — especially those over 40 — are advised to have periodic screening even with normal-feeling vision.
Are some people at higher risk of angle-closure glaucoma?
Population studies have found people of Asian descent, including Indian background, have a higher prevalence of narrow drainage angles and angle-closure glaucoma — making regular checks especially important.
Ready to see us?
Call the appointment desk, or book online — we will confirm your time by phone.
Sources consulted: AAO — Understanding Glaucoma , Glaucoma Research Foundation — Angle-Closure Glaucoma , Glaucoma Research Foundation — Treatment Options , Cleveland Clinic — Angle-Closure Glaucoma . General medical information — not a substitute for professional diagnosis. Content pending final medical review by BSEH doctors before publish.
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