NHS waiting times for glaucoma surgery depend on how urgently pressure needs to be lowered and the capacity of local glaucoma services.
How urgency is assessed
Glaucoma specialists weigh your eye pressure, optic nerve appearance, visual field results, and rate of change. If there is fast progression despite drops and laser, surgery is prioritised more quickly.
- Stable patients may wait longer while monitoring continues
- Those at high risk of sight loss are booked sooner where possible
- Different procedures, such as trabeculectomy or MIGS, may have separate lists
- Missed tests or appointments can delay decisions, so keep in touch
What you can do while waiting
Using pressure lowering drops exactly as prescribed is crucial to protect vision during any wait. Inform the clinic if you struggle with side effects or instilling drops, as alternatives may be available.
- Attend all scheduled pressure checks and field tests
- Report any noticeable change in vision as soon as possible
- Ask your team for an estimate of local waiting times
- Some people choose private surgery for faster intervention, then continue follow up within the NHS
