Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide — yet up to half of those living with it in the UK do not know they have it. Early diagnosis and specialist-led treatment can preserve your sight. Choosing the right glaucoma specialist is the most important step you can take.
If you or someone you love has been told they may have glaucoma — or if raised eye pressure has been detected at a routine eye test — you are likely searching for answers. What does a glaucoma diagnosis mean? What treatment will you need? And crucially: who is the right specialist to trust with your vision?
This guide explains what to look for in a glaucoma specialist, what modern glaucoma treatment involves, and why patients across London and beyond choose Mr Vik Sharma at the London Ophthalmology Centre.
What is glaucoma and why does specialist care matter?
Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions in which the optic nerve — the connection between the eye and the brain — becomes damaged, most commonly due to raised pressure inside the eye (intraocular pressure). Because peripheral vision is lost first and the changes happen gradually, many people do not notice anything is wrong until significant damage has already occurred.
This is why glaucoma demands specialist expertise, not general optometry. A glaucoma specialist has the training, equipment, and surgical skill to diagnose the condition accurately, monitor it rigorously, and intervene precisely when needed — preserving the vision you have for as long as possible.
What makes a glaucoma specialist genuinely expert?
Not all ophthalmologists are glaucoma specialists. When choosing who to see, look for:
- A dedicated glaucoma fellowship — structured post-consultant subspecialty training in glaucoma diagnosis and surgery, beyond standard ophthalmology qualifications
- High surgical volume — glaucoma surgery requires precision; outcomes improve significantly with a surgeon who performs these procedures regularly
- Access to advanced diagnostics — OCT (optical coherence tomography) imaging, visual field testing, and corneal thickness measurement are all essential tools for accurate glaucoma staging
- Experience with the full treatment spectrum — from laser procedures and drops through to advanced surgical options, a true specialist can offer every pathway
- Academic engagement — surgeons who teach, publish, and sit on advisory boards are at the forefront of evolving best practice
Advanced glaucoma treatment at the London Ophthalmology Centre
Mr Vik Sharma is a Consultant Ophthalmologist and dedicated glaucoma specialist with over two decades of consultant-level experience. He holds a specific Glaucoma Fellowship and has held specialist glaucoma posts at King's College and St. Thomas' Hospitals — two of London's leading NHS teaching hospitals.
For patients at the London Ophthalmology Centre, this translates into access to some of the most advanced glaucoma treatments available in the UK:
- Non-penetrating glaucoma surgery — a highly effective technique that lowers eye pressure with a lower risk profile than traditional trabeculectomy
- Micro-tube implants — small drainage devices that provide sustained, controlled reduction in intraocular pressure
- Micro-pulse laser treatment (MPLT) — a gentle, repeatable laser therapy that reduces eye pressure without damaging surrounding tissue
These are not widely available across all private ophthalmology practices. They represent the leading edge of glaucoma care, offered by a surgeon with the fellowship training and surgical volume to use them safely and effectively.
Who should see a glaucoma specialist?
You should seek a specialist assessment if you have been told you have any of the following:
- Raised intraocular pressure (ocular hypertension)
- A diagnosis of open-angle or angle-closure glaucoma
- A family history of glaucoma — first-degree relatives of glaucoma patients have a significantly elevated risk
- Thinning of the optic nerve or suspicious changes on an OCT scan
- Difficulty tolerating or responding to glaucoma eye drops
If you are searching for a glaucoma specialist in London, the question is not just who is available — it is who has the depth of training, the surgical expertise, and the access to advanced treatment to protect your sight long-term. Mr Vik Sharma at the London Ophthalmology Centre meets all of those criteria.