Diligently managing glaucoma calls for daily eye drops and frequent monitoring, a commitment that preserves your long-term sight and supports your quality of life. Yet, if you also live with nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism, everyday tasks like reading, driving, or staying active can feel especially challenging. This reality leads many patients across Orange County and Los Angeles to ask us: “Can you get LASIK with glaucoma?” For many patients, the answer is yes, if your glaucoma is well-controlled, in its early stages, and your ocular health is in good standing. Here’s what you need to know about glaucoma type and LASIK eligibility factors, and what alternative treatments are available if LASIK isn’t the safest choice for you.
What Is Glaucoma and How Does It Affect LASIK Eligibility?
Glaucoma represents a group of conditions that damage the optic nerve, most commonly due to elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). The most prevalent form—primary open-angle glaucoma—often progresses silently. Here’s how your glaucoma type can affect LASIK eligibility:
- With Open-Angle Glaucoma. Where IOP pressure is well-managed and there’s minimal optic nerve changes, you’re likely a good candidate for LASIK. With advanced diagnostics, Dr. Moosa can confirm that your ocular health is in an ideal state before recommending LASIK.
- With Angle-Closure (Narrow Angle) Glaucoma, your eye’s natural drainage system is either narrowed or has blockages, which can cause rapid eye pressure increases. Since LASIK can temporarily raise IOP, it’s generally not recommended for patients to avoid the risk of sudden pressure spikes.
- If you have Normal-Tension (Low) Glaucoma, where IOP is normal but optic nerve changes are present, eligibility requires an individualized assessment based on your condition’s stability and risk factors.
“Each type of glaucoma requires its own specialized evaluation before determining if LASIK is a safe option. Our advanced diagnostic tools and experience allow us to make recommendations that reflect your true needs.”— Dr. Moosa, Excel Laser Vision Institute.
How Is LASIK Candidacy Determined for Glaucoma Patients? Key Risk Factors
To determine if you can get LASIK with glaucoma, you’ll undergo a careful, in-depth consultation assessment led by Dr. Moosa and our experienced clinical team, which looks at every detail of your ocular health and evaluates your risk factors.
What Core Factors Are Evaluated?
- Control & Stability of Your Intraocular Pressure (IOP). LASIK is only considered if your intraocular pressure is well-managed and stable for at least 6-12 months.
- Stage and Progression of Glaucoma. If you have early-stage glaucoma, then you’re still a likely candidate for LASIK. If your condition is in advanced stages or isn’t stable, then alternative procedures may be safer for you.
- Previous Glaucoma Surgeries or Treatments. Dr. Moosa and the team review your full treatment history before making a LASIK recommendation, as previous surgeries can affect your eye structure and impact LASIK’s safety.
- Corneal Health and Thickness. You will need to have healthy, sufficiently thick corneas to safely undergo the procedure.
- Degree of Optic Nerve Damage. If you have a high degree of optic nerve damage from glaucoma, then this can make LASIK less advisable, as protecting your long-term vision remains the top priority.
Important Note: LASIK can dramatically reduce your need for glasses or contacts, but it does not address or cure glaucoma itself. You’ll need ongoing glaucoma care after surgery, and the results you get from LASIK can change as your glaucoma progresses.
What Are The Best Vision Correction Alternatives for Glaucoma Patients?
If LASIK isn’t recommended due to advanced glaucoma, unstable eye pressure, or optic nerve damage, this doesn’t mean you can’t get exceptional vision; it simply means that our team will help you explore equally effective alternatives like:
- PRK (Photorefractive Keratectomy). A flapless procedure that’s ideal for patients with elevated IOP concerns or thinner corneal profiles, as it preserves deeper corneal structure while delivering proven long-term outcomes with a slightly extended healing timeline.
- SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction). A minimally invasive technique that uses precise, smaller corneal access points to reduce corneal nerve disruption, preserve more of your eye’s structure, and reduce post-operative discomfort, making it an excellent option for complex glaucoma cases.
- ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens). ICL corrects complex prescriptions without any permanent corneal changes, and is excellent for those lacking corneal thickness for LASIK. It’s a fully reversible procedure that maintains compatibility with ongoing glaucoma monitoring protocols.
These treatments aren’t compromises; they’re solutions designed to work in lock-step with your glaucoma management plan, ensuring both excellent vision and long-term eye health.
Finding Your Safest and Clearest Path Forward With Glaucoma
Your glaucoma diagnosis doesn’t define your vision potential; it simply guides us toward the safest, most effective path forward. At Excel Laser Vision, Dr. Moosa and the team specialize in complex cases, ensuring your refractive needs and glaucoma management work seamlessly together. Ready to find out if you can get LASIK with your glaucoma? Call (310) 905-8622 to book your personalized consultation with Dr. Moosa or fill out our online consultation form.
