Late diagnosis and treatment of ‘invisible’ disease causing permanent sight loss is a health crisis, warn eye experts

The AOP urges the Government to commit to a national glaucoma pathway using High Street opticians, so patients, wherever they live, have the same access to sight saving treatment

30 June 2025

Over half (54%) of High Street optometrists have seen a patient in the last 12 months who has permanently lost sight due to late detection or delays in treatment for glaucoma, according to new research from the Association of Optometrists (AOP).ⁱ

The eye experts are calling for an ‘overhaul of health’ in England to prevent further failures and ensure High Street optometrists can protect the public by detecting, monitoring and treating glaucoma, easing the burden on hospital eye services.

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible sight loss worldwide, and affects around 700,000 people in the UK. Global studies show that almost half of all cases are undiagnosedⁱⁱ, with some patients losing up to 70% of their vision before they realise there’s a problem.

With glaucoma and other eye conditions expected to rise by 25% over the next decadeⁱⁱⁱ – and NHS services already under pressure – experts are warning of a “ticking timebomb”.

Matt Weale, 54, was diagnosed with glaucoma after a routine eye test in early 2021 revealed dangerously high pressure in his left eye.

“By the time I was finally offered a follow-up appointment, my vision had already started to deteriorate.

“I felt like I was falling through the cracks, and it was terrifying – not knowing if I was going to lose my sight because the system was too stretched to see me.

“If I hadn’t been able to pay for private care, I truly believe I would have gone blind in my left eye. I lost confidence, I had to give up my job, the things I loved - like playing football and performing.

“I think about those who can’t afford to go private. If this is what happened to me in my 50s, how are older, more vulnerable patients supposed to cope.”

Reforms to the Welsh eye care system in 2022 has meant that optometrists can now offer glaucoma services in Wales on the High Street, easing the burden on hospital eye clinics.

These schemes now exist in Scotland and in some areas of England, and have shown to halve referral rates^iv by helping patients to get care closer to home.

But access to these services depends on where you live and patients are facing a postcode lottery, with worse outcomes for those in areas without locally commissioned schemes.

Adam Sampson, Chief Executive of the AOP said: “The current approach to glaucoma in England is failing the public. Each year, people are faced with the reality of permanent sight loss as a direct result of delays to care and inconsistencies in eye care provision.

“But glaucoma services led by optometrists show that it does not need to be this way.

“The research we have conducted reveals a national glaucoma pathway in England could free up 300,000 hospital eye appointments and save the NHS over £12m every year.

“We are calling on the Government to act now to overhaul health in England. We must ensure High Street optometrists can protect the public by detecting, monitoring and treating glaucoma, and ease the burden on hospital eye services.”

In Gloucestershire, an enhanced glaucoma service is successfully providing care to stable glaucoma patients in a community optometry setting.

83 year old Paul Tyler, formally an MP in rural Cornwall, has been living with glaucoma for nearly 25 years but due to an early diagnosis and good management of the condition has been able to live with minimal side effects.

Paul Tyler said: “I’m very thankful for the day when I went for my usual sight check. I knew nothing about glaucoma. I had absolutely no clue that there was anything wrong and I dread to think what would have happened if I hadn't had the diagnosis at that time. I don't think I could have continued with my work as an MP if I’d lost sight and not been able to drive.”

Ankur Trivedi, Optometrist and glaucoma specialist for Keith Holland Opticians said: “Community optometrists undergo at least four years of clinical and professional training to spot eye health conditions as well as treat many of the most common ones.

“We know that services, like the one here in Gloucestershire, that enable patients with suspected glaucoma to be referred to a qualified optometrist for further investigation rather than go straight into a hospital as well as monitoring their condition in the longer term, make a huge difference to their experience – ensuring they get the care they need, when they need it.”

Often described as the ‘invisible disease’, glaucoma causes gradual but symptomless sight loss that can go unnoticed until it’s too late to reverse.

Research from the AOP shows 61% of optometrists believe most of their patients are unaware of what the condition is or common risk factors. But having a regular sight test can help ensure that signs of the disease are picked up and treated early - slowing or prevent sight loss.

Protecting sight: what you need to know

Make sure you are having a regular check up with your optician every two years, or more often if that has been recommended by your optometrist
Remind family and friends of the importance of having regularly sight tests too – to check the health of the eye, and spot disease including glaucoma
Check what financial help is available:

If you use a computer for work, your employer should be covering the cost of a routine sight test and may contribute to the cost of your glasses or contact lenses

Many people are also entitled to an NHS sight test if they are:

60 or over
have glaucoma or have a family history of the condition
on a low income or entitled to certain benefits
under 16 or in full time education.

Glaucoma Awareness Week takes place from 30 June – 6 July 2025. For more information about the condition visit www.aop.org/SeeItComing

Ends

Contacts

For broadcast interviews with any of the spokespeople or case-studies listed below, please contact edible group on 0207 126 7100 or email [email protected]

Notes to Editors

Association of Optometrists

The Association of Optometrists (AOP) is the voice of the optical profession, representing 80% of practising optometrists. The AOP elevates the work of its members, safeguards their interests, and champions eye health across the UK. For more information, visit www.aop.org.uk

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