Patients with glaucoma often inquire about their eligibility to undergo refractive surgery, such as LASIK or PRK, among others.
Although there is no consensus on the specifics of who should or should not undergo refractive surgery, many doctors agree that patients with severe glaucoma should avoid these procedures. Also, refractive surgery can make eye pressure measurements more difficult to interpret.
For those who do not have a glaucoma diagnosis, we recommend visiting a glaucoma specialist before the procedure if you have positive family history of glaucoma (particularly cases of blindness in the family), if you are considered a ‘glaucoma suspect’, or have a combination of risk factors for the disease (see Who should be checked for glaucoma?).
