Cataract surgery can be very suitable in people with glaucoma, but planning must take into account eye pressure control, optic nerve health, and medication use.
Potential benefits in glaucoma
Removing the lens can sometimes help both vision and pressure.
- Clearer vision when cataracts are limiting daily activities
- Modest lowering of eye pressure in some types of open‑angle glaucoma
- Improved view of the optic nerve and retina for ongoing monitoring
- Opportunity to combine cataract surgery with a pressure‑lowering procedure
- Possibility of reducing the number of glaucoma drops in selected cases
Special considerations
Close coordination with your glaucoma specialist is important.
- Assessing how advanced the visual‑field and nerve damage already are
- Ensuring pressure is reasonably controlled before surgery
- Choosing incision type, lens, and any combined glaucoma procedure carefully
- Monitoring pressure closely after surgery, when short‑term spikes can occur
- Setting realistic expectations if glaucoma has already limited best‑possible vision
