I see patients at four hospitals across Surrey and Buckinghamshire. The condition itself is covered on my Glaucoma page, and all my treatments are listed on the treatments page.
What is medical Glaucoma management, and what does it involve?
Glaucoma damages the optic nerve, which carries what you see from the eye to the brain. Usually this is linked to fluid that cannot drain properly, so pressure builds inside the eye. Eye drops lower that pressure, either by helping fluid drain away or by reducing how much is made.
Medical Glaucoma management is the part of Glaucoma care I provide. I confirm the diagnosis, choose drops that suit you and your other medicines, check they are working and watch closely for change over time. I also see patients with sudden eye problems, including painful red eyes.
Glaucoma symptoms and when to get help quickly
Most Glaucoma causes no symptoms until late, which is why checks matter. A sudden rise in pressure is different, as the NHS Glaucoma page explains.
| Your symptom | Possible cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| No symptoms, raised pressure at an eye test | Ocular hypertension or early Glaucoma | Book a specialist assessment |
| Patchy loss of side vision | Glaucoma damage | Book an assessment soon |
| Stinging, red or itchy eyes on drops | Drop or preservative side effect | Speak to me before stopping |
| Intense eye pain, haloes, headache or sickness | Sudden rise in eye pressure | Call 999 or go to A&E |
| Sudden loss of sight | Serious eye problem | Call 999 or go to A&E |
| Fever, confusion or fast breathing after a procedure | Possible signs of infection | Call 999 or go to A&E |
Who it may help: conditions Glaucoma care treats
- People told by an Optometrist that their eye pressure is raised or their optic nerve looks suspicious
- People newly diagnosed with open-angle Glaucoma who are starting eye drops
- People already using drops who have side effects or want their treatment reviewed
- People with a parent, brother or sister with Glaucoma who want a specialist check
Treatment options for Glaucoma
Using your eye drops well
Drops only help if they go in every day, and that is harder than it sounds. A few habits make it easier, and Glaucoma UK’s eye drop guide has pictures of the technique:
- Use your drops at the same time each day; for twice-daily drops, aim for about 12 hours between doses.
- If you use more than one drop, wait at least 5 minutes between them.
- Never put drops in with contact lenses in, and wait at least 15 minutes before putting your lenses back.
- Do not stop a drop without speaking to me, even if your eyes feel fine.
Some drops sting or leave the eyes red and itchy. Often the preservative is the cause, and a preservative-free version may be easier to use. If side effects are putting you off, tell me rather than quietly leaving the drops out. There is usually another option to try.
What if drops are not enough?
NICE also recommends a laser treatment, selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT), for many people when they are first diagnosed, and surgery for some whose pressure stays too high despite medicines. My Glaucoma care is medical. If laser or surgery may suit you better, I will explain why and arrange a referral to a Glaucoma surgeon.
Narrow drainage angles are a separate situation. A small laser opening in the iris, called a peripheral iridotomy, can help prevent a sudden rise in pressure. I offer this as YAG laser iridotomy.
Why patients choose me for Glaucoma care
Glaucoma care is long-term, so seeing the same consultant at every review helps me spot small changes in your scans and visual fields over time.
- Training: BM (2005) at the University of Southampton, then FRCOphth (2012).
- Consultant since 2014: NHS consultant posts at West Hertfordshire and Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals.
- Memberships: The Royal College of Ophthalmologists and the European Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgeons.
- One doctor throughout: no call centre, so you reach me directly before and after treatment.
How often will I need check-ups?
It depends on how well your pressure is controlled and how likely your sight is to change. NICE guidance on Glaucoma suggests a review between 1 month and 4 months when control is not yet good enough, and between 6 months and 12 months once it is, with longer intervals once stability has been achieved. A full assessment uses the same tests described above.
Alternatives to eye drops
Laser to the drainage channels is an alternative to drops for many people, and NICE recommends offering it at diagnosis. Surgery is usually kept for pressure that stays too high. Stopping treatment is not a safe alternative, because damage can progress without symptoms.
What happens at your appointment, step by step
01
Your history
I ask about your eyes, general health, medicines and family history.
02
Pressure check
Your eye pressure is measured after applying anaesthetic drops.
03
Nerve and field tests
The optic nerve is examined and scanned, and your visual field is tested.
04
Your plan
I explain the results, the management plan and when I need to see you again.
Side effects, risks and living with treatment
Drops have no recovery time, but they can have side effects. Some cause redness, stinging or darker eyelashes, and a few are not suitable with certain heart or breathing conditions, so I check your other medicines first.
| Treatment | Hospital stay | Example risk |
|---|---|---|
| Eye drops | None | Red, stinging or itchy eyes |
| Laser trabeculoplasty (by referral) | Outpatient | Short rise in pressure, ache |
| Glaucoma surgery (by referral) | Day case or overnight | Infection, bleeding, pressure too low |
| No treatment | None | Gradual, permanent loss of side vision |
Can I still drive?
Many people can. You must tell the DVLA if Glaucoma affects both eyes, or one eye when it is your only seeing eye. The GOV.UK guide to eye conditions and driving explains how to report it, and the DVLA may ask for a field of vision test. I am happy to talk through what your own results mean.
When to get help straight away
A sudden rise in eye pressure is an emergency. If you develop intense eye pain, a red eye, blurred vision, rainbow-coloured rings around lights, headache or sickness, call 999 or go to A&E. Do not drive yourself.
Where I see patients with Glaucoma
| Location | Address |
|---|---|
| Nuffield Health Woking (Wednesday mornings and evenings) | Shores Road, Woking GU21 4BY |
| The Runnymede Hospital (Tuesday afternoons, Wednesdays, Thursday mornings) | Guildford Road, Ottershaw, Chertsey KT16 0RQ |
| Mount Alvernia Hospital (Wednesday afternoons, Thursday mornings) | Harvey Road, Guildford GU1 3LX |
| VISIO Health (Fridays) | Unit 3, 4 The Courtyard, Riverside West, Wooburn Green, High Wycombe HP10 0DG |
Fees and paying for treatment
These are my 2026 consultation fees. Fees may vary slightly by hospital, and each hospital quotes its own price for the procedure after your assessment.
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| New consultation | £260 |
| Follow-up consultation | £195 |
| Laser or surgery (by referral) | Quoted by the treating surgeon |
| Insured patients | Recognised by most major UK insurers, including Bupa (fee assured), AXA Health, Aviva, Vitality, WPA, Cigna, Aetna, Allianz, The Exeter, General & Medical, Healix, Saga and Benenden |
Glaucoma treatment FAQs
Can Glaucoma be treated without surgery?
Yes, for many people. Eye drops are the most common treatment, and NICE recommends laser for many people who are newly diagnosed. Surgery is generally considered when medicines and laser cannot lower the pressure enough to protect your sight.
Can you stop Glaucoma from getting worse?
Treatment aims to slow the damage and help stop your vision getting worse. It cannot undo damage that has already happened, which is why using drops every day and keeping every review appointment matter, even when your sight seems normal.
What kind of doctor treats Glaucoma?
An ophthalmologist, a doctor who specialises in eyes. The NHS advises that anyone told they have Glaucoma should be referred to one for further tests. Glaucoma is often diagnosed by an Optometrist at a routine eye test, before you notice anything.
Is Glaucoma treatment covered by insurance?
It depends on your policy, as long-term conditions are treated differently by different insurers. Check your cover, exclusions and excess, and whether a GP or Optometrist referral is needed. If you are paying for yourself, you can book with me directly.
Is there a recovery period with eye drops?
No. You carry on as normal. If laser or surgery is needed later, the surgeon explains the recovery for that treatment.
Is Glaucoma surgery a major operation?
It is more involved than drops or laser and is kept for pressure that stays too high. My care is medical, and I refer you to a Glaucoma surgeon if surgery may help.
Can eye pressure come back up after treatment?
Yes. Pressure can creep up again over time, even after laser, which is why regular reviews continue for life.
How much does Glaucoma care cost?
A new consultation is £260 and a follow-up is £195. Regular reviews are charged as follow-ups.
Can I drive with Glaucoma?
Many people can. You must tell the DVLA if Glaucoma affects both eyes, or your only seeing eye.
Will I lose my sight from Glaucoma?
Treatment aims to stop your sight becoming badly affected. Early diagnosis and treatment help protect vision, which is why daily drops and regular reviews matter.
Can I book without a referral?
Yes. If you are funding it yourself, you can book directly. Bring your Optometrist’s letter and a list of your medicines.
Book a consultation: a direct line to your doctor, before and after treatment
There is no call centre or switchboard. Call my practice, email enquiries@soniamall.co.uk or request an appointment online. I aim to reply within 24 hours, and no GP referral is needed.
For an urgent eye problem that cannot wait, contact your GP, an Optometrist or NHS 111. Call 999 or go to A&E for sudden loss of sight, a serious eye injury, or signs of infection after a procedure.
