LASIK Candidacy for People with Glaucoma

Glaucoma – a collection of eye diseases affecting more than 60 million people worldwide – is receiving special attention this January, which is Glaucoma Awareness Month. Glaucoma damages the optic nerve of your eye and causes vision loss. In some cases, glaucoma leads to blindness.

Glaucoma does not necessarily make you a poor candidate for LASIK; however, there are often several vision correction options that may be less risky for people with glaucoma.

The two most common forms of glaucoma, primary open-angle glaucoma and angle-closure glaucoma, cause the pressure inside your eye to increase. This pressure is called "intraocular pressure" (IOP). IOP is actually the pressure of the fluid in your eye.

LASIK procedures that use a microkeratome blade may not be recommended for people with glaucoma. IOP is increased while the microkeratome is being utilized. If you already have high IOP, your eye surgeon may advise against increasing it even more during a LASIK procedure. On the other hand, your eye surgeon may determine that it is reasonably safe for you to undergo LASIK if you are receiving treatment for glaucoma, and if your intraocular pressure is under control. Otherwise, a LASIK alternative may be recommended, which may include:

• PRK
• IntraLase
• Implantable lenses

For those who have not been diagnosed with glaucoma, Glaucoma Awareness Month is an important reminder to be screened regularly for glaucoma during an annual eye exam.

To learn more about your candidacy for LASIK, please contact an experienced eye surgeon in your area.