Glaucoma UK has launched the National Patient Voices Survey, the largest survey of people affected by glaucoma ever undertaken by the charity and, to its knowledge, the largest glaucoma patient insight study ever conducted in the UK.
Running from July 6 to September 6, 2026, the survey aims to gather the experiences of around 10,000 people from across the UK who are living with glaucoma or are currently being monitored for the condition.
The survey fieldwork is being endorsed by the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, The College of Optometrists, and the Clinical Council for Eye Health Commissioning.
Developed in partnership with the Picker Institute, and informed by patients, clinicians and experts from across glaucoma care, the National Patient Voices Survey seeks to create one of the most comprehensive evidence bases ever assembled on glaucoma patient experience in the UK.
The findings will provide detailed insight into patients' experiences of diagnosis, treatment, monitoring and ongoing care. Glaucoma UK will use the results to support service improvement and inform discussions with NHS leaders, policymakers, professional bodies, clinicians, pharmaceutical companies and medical device manufacturers.
The survey comes at a critical time for glaucoma services in the UK. Research from Moorfields Eye Hospital and University College London estimates that more than one million adults aged 40 and over in the UK are living with glaucoma, with around half currently undiagnosed. The same study predicts a 60% increase in prevalence by 2060, with the number of people affected rising to 1.61 million. As services continue to evolve to meet growing demand, understanding patient experience will be essential to ensuring that developments in glaucoma care reflect the needs and priorities of those living with the condition.
Joanne Creighton, Chief Executive of Glaucoma UK, said: "By bringing together thousands of patient experiences, we will create a unique evidence base to help inform services, identify unmet need and ensure patient perspectives are represented in decisions about the future of glaucoma care. Healthcare professionals have supported the survey’s development, and their continued support will be key to reaching as many patients as possible. We are especially keen to hear from those whose voices often go unheard in conversations about eye care. Every response will contribute to a richer understanding of what it means to live with glaucoma today."
Responses will be independently analyzed by the Picker Institute, an organization specializing in patient experience research. The resulting report is expected to provide one of the most detailed assessments of glaucoma patient experience ever produced in the UK.
The survey can be completed online at glaucoma.uk/voice
