People with ocular hypertension but no glaucomatous damage may still be candidates for laser eye surgery, with extra attention to pressure monitoring.
Points supporting suitability
Ocular hypertension means raised pressure without structural or field damage, so risk assessment focuses on long-term safety.
- Healthy optic nerves and normal visual fields
- Corneal thickness and other risk factors reviewed before surgery
- Stable pressures on or off drops, as agreed with your specialist
- Understanding that measured pressure can appear lower after LASIK because the cornea is thinner
- Clear plan for ongoing glaucoma‑style monitoring after surgery
When caution or alternative options are better
If the overall risk of developing glaucoma is high, preserving accurate pressure measurement may take priority.
- Very high baseline pressures or strong family history of glaucoma
- Other risk factors such as thin corneas or suspicious nerves
- Need for long-term, precise pressure readings to guide treatment
- Consideration of surface procedures or lens surgery instead of corneal thinning
- Shared decision after discussion with both refractive and glaucoma specialists
