LASIK Eye Surgery and Glaucoma

The most common type of glaucoma will show no symptoms until loss of vision has begun, but can be diagnosed with a complete eye examination. Glaucoma is a condition in which the Internal Ocular Pressure (IOP) of the eye is elevated, causing damage to the optic nerve.

In general, glaucoma can be successfully treated if diagnosed. Glaucoma can be a devastating disease if not diagnosed and treated. Chronic Glaucoma slowly destroys the nerve fibers of the retina causing a slow deterioration of the optic nerve and progressive loss of sight. Glaucoma treatment may include either changes in lifestyle, medications or surgery. Glaucoma has been treated as a silent thief because it can rob people of their eyesight before they realize it, especially if they are not subjected to eye exams annually. Glaucoma can be treated with medicinal eye drops, laser surgery and conventional surgery.

Some risk factors for glaucoma include family history of glaucoma, the descent of the Negro race, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, advanced age, corticosteroid use, trauma and previous ocular . If you have already received a diagnosis of glaucoma or are a member of a group at risk for glaucoma, be sure to discuss with your refractive surgeon any concerns you may have regarding refractive surgery and glaucoma.

Many patients with glaucoma May have been told previously by another surgeon for LASIK because of the rise in pressure in the eye, they are not considered a good candidate for LASIK eye surgery.

People with very highly IOP or predisposed to glaucoma may not be appropriate for conventional or custom LASIK Wavefront, All-Laser LASIK, or Epi-LASIK, but May be appropriate for other types of refractive surgery as PRK, LASEK, NearVision CK, P - IOL, or RLE. Although glaucoma is not automatically exclude a person of many techniques of refractive surgery, glaucoma must be treated and stabilized before considering refractive surgery.

If you have glaucoma and turned down to LASIK surgery, it might be wise to consult specialist glaucoma or other LASIK surgery, which took the experience to perform LASIK on patients with glaucoma. Each time a patient has been refused LASIK by one LASIK surgeon must be aware that they are at higher risk of having LASIK than other patients. This does not mean they can not have good results with LASIK eye surgery. It only takes precautions must be taken and a high level of confidence must be obtained from a LASIK surgeon before undergoing LASIK.

Despite the fact that glaucoma patients are treated for their eye condition, laser LASIK or another vision correction may still be an option for patients who are nearsighted, farsightedness or astigmatism. If glaucoma is under control, it might be a chance that LASIK is still an option.

First, the prospect of LASIK eye surgery must undergo a medical examination, including an examination of the retina. During the examination, the LASIK surgeon will make many critical observations and measurements to determine if LASIK is a possibility.

Even in seemingly simple cases, complications can occur. While LASIK is never 100% guaranteed, it has provided freedom from contact lenses and glasses for millions of people. It is not recommended for everyone but glaucoma is not an absolute contraindication for LASIK.