The Glaucoma Department at Al-Shifa Eye Hospital is one of Pakistan's most comprehensive glaucoma services, offering the full spectrum of diagnosis, medical management, laser treatment, and minimally invasive and conventional glaucoma surgery. Our fellowship-trained glaucoma specialists manage every stage — from ocular hypertension and early glaucomatous damage to advanced, refractory cases requiring complex surgical intervention.
Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, often progressing silently without symptoms. Our department's guiding principle is early detection and preservation — because vision lost to glaucoma cannot be restored, only protected. We maintain a 94.8% vision-preservation rate across our managed patient cohort.
Conditions & Types Managed
Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma (POAG) — early to advanced
Our glaucoma service is built on structured, protocol-driven care. Every new patient undergoes a comprehensive glaucoma workup including non-contact tonometry, corneal pachymetry for IOP correction, gonioscopy to assess the drainage angle, HRT optic disc imaging, and automated perimetry (visual fields). This multi-modal baseline allows precise staging and a tailored treatment plan from day one.
"In glaucoma, the battle is won or lost in the clinic — not the operating theatre. Our most powerful tool is the thoroughness of monitoring. Every field test, every disc photograph is a data point that defends the patient's sight."
— Prof. Dr. Tariq Mehmood, Head of Glaucoma Services
When medical therapy is insufficient, our laser suite offers selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) and laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI) as effective, repeatable first-line interventions. For surgical cases, our surgeons perform trabeculectomy with Mitomycin-C, minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS — iStent, Kahook Dual Blade), and Ahmed/Baerveldt valve implantation for refractory glaucoma — all in our dedicated glaucoma theatre.
Technology & Equipment
Comprehensive Glaucoma Diagnostic Suite
Goldmann Applanation Tonometry
Gold-standard IOP measurement with corneal pachymetry correction for accurate intraocular pressure assessment at every visit.
Humphrey Visual Field Analyser
SITA-Standard and SITA-Fast automated perimetry for detecting, staging, and monitoring glaucomatous field loss with high precision.
OCT Optic Nerve Head & RNFL
Zeiss Cirrus OCT retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) imaging and ganglion cell analysis for detecting structural damage before functional loss.
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty
Ellex SLT laser for non-invasive, repeatable IOP reduction in open-angle glaucoma — a safe alternative or adjunct to topical medications.
Patient Journey
Your Glaucoma Care Pathway
1
Comprehensive Glaucoma Workup
Full glaucoma evaluation including IOP, pachymetry, gonioscopy, optic disc photography, OCT RNFL, and automated visual fields at the first visit.
2
Staging & Target IOP Setting
The glaucoma specialist stages disease severity and sets a personalised target IOP to halt progression, based on optic nerve status and life expectancy.
3
Medical & Laser Therapy
Topical medications, fixed-combination drops, or SLT/LPI laser initiated. Compliance counselling and drop instillation technique checked at every visit.
4
Surgical Intervention (if required)
Trabeculectomy, MIGS, or tube surgery planned and performed in our dedicated glaucoma theatre with post-operative bleb management.
5
Lifelong Monitoring Programme
Structured recall with visual fields, disc imaging, and IOP checks every 3–6 months. Family screening offered for first-degree relatives.
What We Offer
Glaucoma Procedures & Surgeries
From eye drops and laser to advanced tube surgery — every treatment calibrated to preserve your remaining vision.
Medical IOP Management
Personalised topical therapy — prostaglandins, beta-blockers, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, and fixed-combination drops — with adherence support.
Ongoing therapy
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT)
Non-invasive laser treatment to enhance aqueous outflow via the trabecular meshwork — safe, repeatable, and medication-sparing.
10–20 minutes
Laser Peripheral Iridotomy (LPI)
YAG laser iridotomy for angle-closure glaucoma and prophylactic treatment of narrow-angle eyes at risk of acute attack.
5–10 minutes
Trabeculectomy + MMC
Gold-standard filtration surgery with Mitomycin-C augmentation for advanced glaucoma — creating a drainage bleb to permanently lower IOP.
60–90 minutes
MIGS — iStent & KDB
Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery including iStent inject and Kahook Dual Blade goniotomy — ideal for mild-to-moderate disease with cataract.
15–30 minutes
Ahmed / Baerveldt Valve Implant
Glaucoma drainage devices for refractory and complicated glaucoma where trabeculectomy has failed or is contraindicated.
90–120 minutes
Patient Stories
Voices of Our Patients
Patients whose vision has been preserved through timely glaucoma care at Al-Shifa.
"I had no idea I had glaucoma until a routine check at Al-Shifa. Prof. Tariq explained that my IOP was dangerously high and that I had already lost some peripheral vision. Three years of treatment later — drops, then SLT — my pressure is controlled and my remaining vision is stable. I dread to think what would have happened without that check."
AK
Abdul Kareem
Peshawar — POAG, SLT & Medical Management
"My mother developed acute angle-closure glaucoma one evening — severe pain and sudden vision loss. The Al-Shifa emergency team saw her within an hour, broke the attack with medication, and performed a laser iridotomy the same night. She regained her vision completely. The speed and expertise of the team was extraordinary."
RN
Rabia Nisar (Daughter)
Rawalpindi — Acute Angle-Closure, Emergency LPI
Silent Thief of Sight — Don't Wait for Symptoms
Glaucoma causes irreversible blindness without warning. If you have a family history, high IOP, or are over 40, a glaucoma screening today could save your sight for life. Our team is ready to see you this week.
