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10 March 2026
An estimated 80 million people worldwide have glaucoma – and half of those are unaware they have the disease, because in its early stages, glaucoma is asymptomatic. If untreated, glaucoma may progress to blindness.
This World Glaucoma Week (March 8-14) we are are raising awareness of glaucoma – which is a chronic, progressive disorder of the optic nerve. The London Clinic Eye Centre patient Susan Williams shares her story.
“High eye pressure can be dangerous if left for a long time, but I really didn’t know I was at risk of losing my eyesight” explains Sue, 64, from Kent.
Elevated eye pressure – also known as intraocular pressure (IOP) – often has no symptoms, but if not detected, can harm the optic nerve, increasing the risk of glaucoma and possible loss of eyesight.
Sue, a retired public sector worker, was having a routine eye test at the start of 2025, when high eye pressure was detected by her optician. She was referred to her local hospital in Ashford for further tests.
Sue said, “Pressure can be dangerous if left for a long time, and mine was up in the 40s. But I could somehow feel something was wrong, despite no obvious symptoms. I didn’t have any pain – just watery eyes – but I could feel the pressure was high before the procedure.”
Eye pressures above 21mmHG (measured in millimetres of mercury, mmHG) qualify as high, and elevated levels can harm the eye’s optic nerve, increasing the risk of glaucoma and irreversible vision loss.
Back in 2013, Sue had a detached retina which was repaired, but she returned to a specialist NHS hospital in May 2024 when it came loose again. Her local hospital in Ashford then referred Sue to leading ophthalmic surgeon, Mr Faisal Ahmed, known for his innovative glaucoma and cataract surgery to explore the pressure.
“I had a buckle attached which is like a strap to hold the retina in place and everything was fine. The buckle was doing its job, but I needed an intervention because the pressure – spotted by my optician – just wouldn’t go down” Sue explains.
The London Clinic Eye Centre eye surgeon was the first surgeon in the world to use the first version of the new glaucoma drainage device called the EyePlate, in 2020. Renowned for his use of cutting-edge technology, Mr Ahmed has also developed a new surgical technique to implant the EyePlate device which is a tiny silicone tube inserted into the eye’s front chamber allowing the drainage of fluid out of the eye.
“Advanced glaucoma is notoriously difficult to manage, especially in patients who have had previous eye surgery. High eye pressure can lead to irreversible optic nerve damage and vision loss.
“For patients whose glaucoma progresses, the Eyeplate helps to effectively reduce pressure and mitigate the risk of further damage to the optic nerve and vision loss” explains Mr Ahmed.
The latest version of the device: the eyePlate-S came out at the end of last year and Mr Ahmed was again the first in the world to use this on Sue.
A spokesperson from the manufacturers of the eyePlate-S, Rheon Medical said, “Given Mr Ahmed’s extensive experience with our devices and his recognised expertise in glaucoma surgery, we were delighted for him to be the first surgeon to implant the eyePlate-S.”
Sue had the procedure in the afternoon of September 16 last year and was home that night. She said, “I was very nervous, and quite scared but it was wonderful care. I went back to see Mr Ahmed two days later and everything looked fine.”
After fortnightly, then six weekly check-ups, in November the stitch in the eyePlate-S was removed.
Sue chose to pay privately as she was worried about waiting a long time for the procedure on the NHS and concerns that prolonged use of the drugs to reduce pressure would cause her long- term kidney damage.
Sue’s vision is now fine, and she is driving again but the pressure is being monitored.
“Mr Ahmed is so caring. He is brilliant. If anybody needs to speak to someone for this health issue – he is 100 out of 100. The procedure and follow ups have been textbook,” said Sue.
Find out more about the London Clinic Eye Centre here.
