Glaucoma Treatment for Adults & Children in Dubai & Abu Dhabi

Glaucoma damages the optic nerve, which carries visual information from the eye to the brain. The changes are often gradual and usually begin in the side, or peripheral, vision rather than the centre of vision.
A person with glaucoma may develop missing areas, blind spots or reduced awareness of objects at the edges of their vision. Because these changes can develop slowly, the brain may initially adapt to them, making them difficult to notice in daily life. If glaucoma continues to progress, more of the visual field can be affected and, in advanced cases, this may lead to severe vision loss.

Many forms of glaucoma, particularly open-angle glaucoma, can develop without noticeable symptoms in the early stages, which is why glaucoma is usually identified through a detailed eye examination rather than through symptoms alone.
A glaucoma assessment may include measuring eye pressure, examining the optic nerve, checking the drainage angle of the eye and, where needed, carrying out visual field testing and nerve imaging. These checks help detect signs of glaucoma before a person notices changes in their vision, or before more significant vision loss occurs.
If you have a family history of glaucoma or have been advised to see a glaucoma specialist after an eye examination, you can arrange an assessment with our glaucoma specialists in Dubai or Abu Dhabi.

Glaucoma can occur even when eye pressure is within the typically considered normal range, a condition sometimes called normal-tension glaucoma. In these cases, the optic nerve may still be vulnerable to damage, which is why eye pressure alone is not enough to confirm or rule out glaucoma.
At the same time, high eye pressure does not always mean a person has glaucoma, as some patients have higher-than-average eye pressure without optic nerve damage, known as ocular hypertension. However, this can increase the risk of developing glaucoma and should be monitored carefully.

Glaucoma cannot currently be cured, and vision already lost because of glaucoma usually cannot be restored. Current treatment focuses on lowering intraocular pressure to reduce the risk of further damage to the optic nerve and to help protect the vision a person still has.
Because glaucoma is usually a long-term condition, it requires ongoing monitoring and, where needed, treatment that may be adjusted over time according to how the eye responds. Depending on the type and stage of glaucoma, the glaucoma specialist will recommend the most appropriate management plan, which may include eye drops, laser treatment or surgery.

Glaucoma can affect children, although it is far less common than in adults. In children, glaucoma can sometimes present from birth, nd it requires specialist paediatric assessment because a child’s eyes and vision are still developing. Signs in young children can include watering eyes, sensitivity to light, and unusually large or cloudy-looking eyes, although some children may not show obvious symptoms in the early stages. Because glaucoma in children can affect long-term vision development, these signs should be checked promptly by a paediatric eye specialist. To learn more about paediatric glaucoma, visit: https://moorfields.ae/service/glaucoma-treatment/paediatric-glaucoma/

Treatment options for glaucoma range from eye drops and oral medications to laser treatments and surgical procedures, depending on the type and severity of the condition. Both adult and paediatric glaucoma are treated at Moorfields Eye Hospitals Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The most appropriate treatment plan is discussed with patients following a full clinical assessment. To learn more about specific treatment options, visit moorfields.ae/service/glaucoma-treatment/adult-glaucoma/

At Moorfields Eye Hospitals, our glaucoma specialists in Dubai and Abu Dhabi are experts in surgical and non-surgical treatments, utilising evidence-based approaches to deliver personalised, effective care. The team includes consultants with subspecialist training in medical, laser and surgical glaucoma management. To view the full team, visit moorfields.ae/departments/ophthalmologists/

Moorfields UAE works with a wide range of insurance providers across the UAE. Patients are advised to confirm their specific coverage with their insurer or with Moorfields directly, as coverage depends on the individual policy. The full list of accepted insurance providers is available at moorfields.ae/insurance-provider/