What services does the Cloud Hospital platform provide?

The platform supports overseas marketing, patient reservations, payment management, follow-up care, and multilingual communication.

How many languages does the platform support?

Cloud Hospital supports 40 languages, including English, Japanese, Chinese, and Russian.

What type of platform is Cloud Hospital?

Cloud Hospital is a B2B Software-as-a-Service platform that supports hospitals in managing international patient engagement.

Can You Have Vision Correction Surgery If You Have Glaucoma?

(Written by SNU Eye Clinic, Gangnam – led by Dr. Chung Eui Sang)

Imagine wanting to finally get rid of your glasses — but being told during your eye check-up that you have early-stage glaucoma. Many patients stop there, assuming laser vision correction or lens surgery is off the table forever. The truth, however, is more nuanced. At SNU Eye Clinic, we often meet patients who come in asking the same question:

“Can I still have LASIK or SMILE if I have glaucoma?”

The answer depends on the type and severity of your glaucoma, as well as the procedure being considered. While glaucoma requires careful management, it doesn’t automatically exclude you from all forms of vision correction. Let’s explore why — and how a specialized clinic like ours approaches these cases safely.

What Is Glaucoma and Why It Matters in Vision Correction?

Glaucoma is a chronic eye condition where damage to the optic nerve — often caused by elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) — leads to gradual vision loss. It’s sometimes called the “silent thief of sight” because many people notice no symptoms until peripheral vision begins to fade.

For patients considering refractive surgery, glaucoma matters because:

IOP fluctuations during surgery can affect the optic nerve.
Corneal thickness changes after laser procedures can make pressure readings less accurate.
Some surgeries require suction or corneal reshaping, which temporarily raises IOP.

That’s why a comprehensive glaucoma assessment — including optic nerve imaging (OCT), visual field testing, and corneal mapping — is essential before making any decision.

At SNU Eye Clinic, we integrate these diagnostic steps into every pre-surgical evaluation. With over 50,000 successful vision correction procedures, Dr. Chung’s team ensures that no decision is made without understanding both your refractive needs and your long-term ocular health.

Can You Have LASIK or SMILE If You Have Glaucoma?

The short answer: sometimes — but with caution.

LASIK: Usually Not Recommended for Advanced Glaucoma

LASIK involves creating a corneal flap using a suction ring, which temporarily increases eye pressure. In patients with glaucoma, especially those with nerve fiber loss or advanced field defects, this pressure spike can risk further optic nerve damage.

Even though the pressure rise is brief, Dr. Chung explains to patients:

“For most glaucoma cases, LASIK is not the safest route — we want to avoid any unnecessary strain on the optic nerve, even for a few seconds.”

SMILE (Small Incision Lenticule Extraction): A Safer Alternative

SMILE is often a more viable option. The SMILE PRO system — which SNU Eye Clinic performs using the VisuMax® 800 laser — uses minimal suction and a smaller incision (just 2–3 mm), meaning less pressure fluctuation during the procedure.

For patients with mild or well-controlled glaucoma, SMILE can often be performed safely after careful evaluation. Its “keyhole” approach not only maintains corneal strength but also causes minimal disturbance to the eye’s pressure dynamics.

We’ve seen excellent outcomes in younger patients with ocular hypertension or early glaucoma who previously thought they were not candidates for any laser surgery.

However, every case is different — the decision depends on optic nerve condition, visual field stability, and your ongoing treatment plan.

What About ICL or Lens Implantation for Glaucoma Patients?

For patients who are not suitable for corneal laser surgery, implantable collamer lens (ICL) or refractive lens exchange (RLE) may be alternatives — but with strict selection criteria.

ICL (Implantable Collamer Lens)

ICL involves inserting a thin, flexible lens between the iris and the natural lens. It’s a reversible, flap-free procedure that doesn’t alter the cornea.

That said, ICL changes the anatomy of the anterior chamber — the fluid-filled space that regulates eye pressure. Therefore, it’s not suitable for glaucoma patients with narrow angles or impaired aqueous flow.

At SNU Eye Clinic, we use anterior segment OCT and ultrasound biomicroscopy to precisely measure chamber depth and angle width before recommending ICL.

When properly selected, patients with stable open-angle glaucoma can safely undergo ICL under close monitoring.

Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE)

For older patients with both early cataract and glaucoma, RLE can correct vision and reduce dependence on glasses. Modern multifocal or toric intraocular lenses can be chosen to match each patient’s visual goals.

Additionally, in cases where cataract extraction itself helps lower intraocular pressure, RLE may serve a dual purpose: clearer vision and improved pressure control.

Dr. Chung often performs combined cataract and glaucoma procedures when needed, tailoring the surgical plan for both visual clarity and disease management.

How SNU Eye Clinic Evaluates Glaucoma Patients for Vision Correction?

Not all glaucoma patients are the same — and neither should their surgery plans be.

At SNU Eye Clinic, our approach involves multi-level diagnostic screening:

Comprehensive IOP Monitoring: Multiple pressure checks at different times of day to understand your IOP profile.
Optic Nerve Imaging (OCT): To detect even microscopic nerve fiber changes.
Corneal Mapping and Pachymetry: To understand corneal thickness and biomechanical strength before laser correction.
Visual Field Testing: To confirm whether vision loss is stable or progressive.
Anterior Chamber Analysis: For ICL or lens-based procedures, ensuring safe fluid dynamics and chamber depth.

Only after integrating all this data does Dr. Chung discuss whether surgery is advisable — and which type offers the safest long-term results.

“Our goal is not just clearer vision,” says Dr. Chung. “It’s protecting the optic nerve for decades to come.”

Managing Eye Pressure After Surgery

Even in mild glaucoma cases, post-operative IOP management is key. At SNU Eye Clinic, we:

Schedule closer follow-up intervals during the first 3–6 months.
Adjust tonometry methods (using corneal-compensated devices like ORA® or Pascal® to get accurate readings after laser surgery).
Collaborate with the patient’s glaucoma specialist if additional care is required.

We often reassure patients:

“Having glaucoma doesn’t mean you must give up on clear vision — it simply means your surgery must be tailored more thoughtfully.”

Real Patient Example

A 42-year-old software engineer with mild, stable open-angle glaucoma visited SNU Eye Clinic after being rejected elsewhere for LASIK. After comprehensive testing, Dr. Chung recommended SMILE PRO due to its low-pressure profile.

The surgery took less than 15 minutes per eye, and his uncorrected vision reached 1.0 (20/20) within a week. He continues regular glaucoma monitoring, and his optic nerve has remained stable for over 3 years.

This case illustrates what’s possible when advanced technology and individualized surgical judgment come together.

When Surgery Should Be Avoided?

Even at a high-precision clinic, some glaucoma cases are better managed without refractive surgery. You should not undergo LASIK, SMILE, or ICL if:

Glaucoma is advanced or uncontrolled despite medication.
You have significant visual field loss.
Your optic nerve shows ongoing damage or rapid progression.
The anterior chamber is too shallow for safe ICL implantation.

In these cases, preserving remaining vision always outweighs cosmetic or convenience-based goals. Our clinic prioritizes nerve health above all else.

The Bottom Line: A Personalized Path Forward

Having glaucoma doesn’t automatically close the door to vision correction — it simply means the decision requires specialized evaluation and surgical precision.

Thanks to modern advancements like SMILE PRO, VisuMax 800, and toric ICL lenses, patients today have more tailored, low-risk options than ever before.

If you’ve been told you can’t have surgery because of glaucoma, it’s worth seeking a second opinion at a precision-driven clinic like SNU Eye Clinic in Gangnam.

“Every eye tells a story,” says Dr. Chung. “Our role is to help you see that story clearly — safely, and for the long term.”

Considering Vision Correction with Glaucoma?

If you have mild or stable glaucoma and want to explore SMILE or ICL, book a comprehensive consultation at SNU Eye Clinic.

Our team combines advanced imaging, careful diagnosis, and Dr. Chung Eui Sang’s decades of surgical expertise to create treatment plans that protect both your vision and your optic nerve health.