Our Glaucoma service provides comprehensive care and assessment for people at risk of developing glaucoma.
You will be cared for by our team if you are at risk of developing issues with your eyesight because of the onset of glaucoma.
We have a range of specialist clinics available including:
- Glaucoma Assessment Clinic: A “one-stop” nurse-led clinic for new referrals where patients have vision field tests, optic disc photos, then referral onto a consultant clinic and treatment if appropriate.
- Consultant Specialist Glaucoma Clinic: Led by our specialist Ophthalmologists.
- Stable Glaucoma Clinic: A nurse and optometrist-led clinic for ocular hypertensive (high pressure) and stable glaucomas requiring only annual follow-up visits.
‘Fast-track’ assessment
Once you have been referred by your GP, you will be seen in our glaucoma assessment clinic through a fast-track assessment.
Firstly, you will be asked some questions about your eyes and general health. Your vision will then be measured on an eye chart.
Visual field test
A visual field test will be carried out to test your peripheral vision.
During this test we use eye-drops to dilate (open) the pupil. You will sit in front of a screen and some dim lights will go on and off and you press a button each time you see a light.
Warning
The eye drops can cause blurring of vision for a few hours, and it can take up to 24 hours for the effects of the drops to wear off. We advise that you do not drive yourself home from the eye clinic.
What happens next?
If you have glaucoma, you will be prescribed eye drops to use daily to stop your vision getting worse. However, they will not make your vision any better.
You will come back to clinic for annual checks in our stable glaucoma clinic.
Following assessment, you may need to be seen at our specialist glaucoma clinic for further assessment.
It may be that you are at higher-risk of developing glaucoma in the future. If this is the case, you will sent back to your optometrist for regular checks. Depending on your assessment, you may need to be reviewed by our glaucoma service.
How can I be referred into the service?
You can be referred into the service by your GP, optomertrist or local hospital ophthalmologist.
Contact us
Tel: 0191 282 5559
