Glaucoma — Mr Anurag Garg

Pressure on the optic nerve. Fig. B

Glaucoma

What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a group of conditions in which the optic nerve — the cable that carries vision from the eye to the brain — becomes damaged, most often in association with raised pressure inside the eye. It is one of the world's leading causes of preventable sight loss, yet with early diagnosis and the right treatment, most patients keep useful vision for life.

Why it's called the silent thief of sight

Most glaucoma develops slowly and painlessly, gradually affecting peripheral vision first — so significant damage can occur before you notice anything at all. That is why regular eye checks, and specialist assessment when glaucoma is suspected, matter so much.

Types of glaucoma

Open angle glaucoma

The most common form. The eye's drainage channels become less efficient over years, pressure rises gently and the optic nerve is slowly damaged — usually without symptoms.

Angle closure glaucoma

The drainage angle of the eye narrows or closes. It can develop slowly, or present suddenly with a painful red eye and blurred vision — an emergency needing same-day treatment.

Ocular hypertension

Raised eye pressure without any damage to the optic nerve. Not glaucoma itself, but an important risk factor that needs monitoring and sometimes treatment.

How glaucoma is diagnosed

Diagnosis brings together several complementary measurements, repeated over time to build a complete picture:

Eye pressure measurement (tonometry)
OCT scanning — detailed imaging of the optic nerve and its fibres
Visual field testing to map your peripheral vision
Examination of the drainage angle (gonioscopy)

Treatment options

Treatment aims to lower eye pressure and protect the optic nerve — chosen together, based on the best current evidence.

Eye drops

Daily pressure-lowering drops remain a mainstay of treatment — effective, well understood, and adjusted carefully to suit you.

SLT laser

Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty is a quick, safe outpatient laser that improves the eye's natural drainage. Following the LiGHT Trial, it is now recommended as a first-line treatment in the UK.

Surgery

For glaucoma that resists drops and laser, a range of surgical options can lower pressure further. Where surgery is the right path, Mr Garg will coordinate your care personally.

Mr Garg's expertise

Mr Garg has dedicated a significant part of his career to understanding and advancing the treatment of glaucoma.

His MD(Res) from University College London focused on SLT laser treatment, and his research contributed directly to the landmark LiGHT Trial — which changed national guidance on how glaucoma is first treated in the UK. He has published over 25 peer-reviewed papers, including in The Lancet and Ophthalmology, and performs SLT laser regularly.

25+peer-reviewed publications

LiGHTTrial contributor — published in The Lancet

MD(Res)University College London

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Mr Garg welcomes self-referrals, GP and optometrist referrals, and patients with private health insurance.

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