Eye drops
Pressure-lowering drops are common first-line treatment. Technique, side effects and adherence should be reviewed.
Optic nerve care
Glaucoma & eye-pressure assessment
Glaucoma can damage the optic nerve gradually and without early symptoms. Examination combines pressure measurement with optic-nerve and visual-field assessment.
Severe pain and sudden blur can be urgent
Sudden severe eye pain, headache, nausea, coloured halos, redness or rapid visual loss require urgent in-person assessment.
Understanding the concern
A clear diagnosis comes before a treatment plan
Glaucoma describes a group of conditions that damage the optic nerve. Eye pressure is an important risk factor, but glaucoma can occur at different pressures and a single pressure reading cannot confirm or exclude it.
Open-angle glaucoma often progresses silently. Regular examination is especially important for people with a family history, increasing age, diabetes, high myopia, steroid exposure or previous eye injury.
What patients notice
Who may benefit from assessment
These features can overlap with other eye conditions. Examination is needed to establish the cause.
- A family history of glaucoma
- Previously raised eye pressure
- Progressive loss of side vision
- Suspicious optic-nerve appearance
- Long-term steroid use
- High myopia, diabetes or previous eye injury
Specialist assessment
What the consultation may involve
A glaucoma review combines several measurements over time rather than relying on one test.
01
Eye pressure and corneal assessment
Pressure is measured and interpreted alongside corneal thickness and other ocular findings.
02
Optic nerve and OCT
Examination and imaging look for structural change in the optic nerve and retinal nerve fibre layer.
03
Visual-field testing
A field test maps side vision and can help identify or monitor functional damage.
04
Drainage-angle examination
Gonioscopy helps distinguish open from narrow drainage angles and informs treatment planning.
Treatment planning
Lowering risk of further optic-nerve damage
Treatment is tailored to glaucoma type, stage, pressure, rate of change and the patient's ability to use medication consistently.
Laser treatment
Laser may be used to improve drainage or treat narrow angles in selected types of glaucoma.
Surgery
When drops and laser are insufficient or disease is advanced, a glaucoma surgical pathway may be recommended or coordinated with a glaucoma subspecialist.
From first assessment to follow-up
- 01Review risk factors, medication and previous pressure readings
- 02Measure pressure and examine the optic nerve and drainage angle
- 03Establish structural and visual-field baselines
- 04Set an individual target and treatment plan
- 05Repeat testing to judge stability rather than relying on symptoms
Optic nerve assessment
At a glance
- Eye-pressure and optic-nerve assessment
- Visual-field and OCT testing
- Monitoring or coordinated treatment
Interpreting eye pressure in context
Prof. Amer Awan's wider ophthalmic practice includes glaucoma assessment, while complex or progressive glaucoma may require coordinated subspecialty management according to the examination findings.
Questions patients ask
About Glaucoma
Can I feel high eye pressure?
Usually not. Most open-angle glaucoma causes no early pain or warning symptoms, which is why examination and testing are important.
Does normal pressure mean I cannot have glaucoma?
No. Optic-nerve susceptibility varies, and glaucoma can occur at statistically normal pressure. Diagnosis uses the full clinical picture.
Can lost glaucoma vision be restored?
Established optic-nerve damage is generally permanent. Treatment aims to reduce the risk of further loss, making early detection valuable.
Continue reading
Related eye-care pathways
Diabetic eye diseaseWhy diabetes requires more than one type of eye check.Cataract surgeryHow glaucoma may influence lens and surgery planning.Patient informationBrowse condition guides and appointment preparation.
General information sources: Prof. Amer Awan - current public profile; National Eye Institute - Facts about glaucoma.