What It Signals

Lumigan (bimatoprost) is a prescription medication used to treat glaucoma and ocular hypertension by reducing intraocular pressure. Unlike acute medications treating temporary conditions, Lumigan is a long-term, maintenance therapy for a chronic eye condition. Life insurance underwriters do not view the medication itself as a concern—they focus on the underlying glaucoma diagnosis, whether your eye pressure is controlled, your treatment compliance, and whether you are receiving regular ophthalmology care. Glaucoma is a manageable condition, and many people with controlled glaucoma obtain life insurance without difficulty.

Underwriting Focus

Underwriters evaluate glaucoma through three key questions: First, is your eye pressure currently controlled? Second, are you compliant with your medication and regular eye exams? Third, are there other health factors or complications affecting your overall risk profile?

Glaucoma that is well-controlled with Lumigan and monitored through regular eye exams is generally viewed as a manageable chronic condition. Underwriters understand that glaucoma, when treated properly, does not significantly shorten life expectancy. What concerns underwriters is uncontrolled glaucoma or poor compliance with treatment, which can lead to vision loss and suggest broader health management issues.

What Controlled Glaucoma Means

Controlled glaucoma means your intraocular pressure is within a target range set by your ophthalmologist, based on your specific eye health and risk factors. This is confirmed through regular eye exams (typically every 6 to 12 months). Your ophthalmologist monitors both pressure measurements and visual field tests to ensure treatment is effective.

When applying for life insurance, having recent eye exam results showing controlled pressure and no progression of optic nerve damage significantly improves your underwriting outcome. Underwriters view this as evidence that you are managing your condition responsibly.

Required Documentation

When applying for life insurance with glaucoma, underwriters typically request a recent ophthalmology report (within the past 12 months) that documents:

• Current intraocular pressure readings in both eyes
• Date of diagnosis and how long you have had glaucoma
• Current treatment (medication name and dosage)
• Compliance with appointments and medication
• Results of visual field tests and optic nerve imaging
• Any complications or secondary conditions

Providing complete, recent eye exam records upfront speeds up underwriting significantly. If your records show stable, controlled pressure and no progression, this strongly supports approval.

Approval Is Achievable

Life insurance approval for people taking Lumigan is achievable and common. Many insurance companies offer standard or near-standard rates for applicants with well-controlled glaucoma. What matters for approval is demonstrating that your glaucoma is controlled and you are actively managing it through regular eye care.

The key to successful underwriting is: (1) having recent eye exam records showing controlled pressure, (2) demonstrating consistent medication compliance, and (3) providing complete health information including age, overall health status, and any other medical conditions. If your glaucoma is stable and you have no other significant health issues, approval at standard or good rates is realistic.

Rate Variation by Control Status

Well-Controlled Glaucoma: Often receives standard or standard-plus rates. Eye pressure is stable, no progression, and compliant with care.

Newly Diagnosed or Moderately Controlled: May receive slightly higher rates, depending on other health factors and treatment duration.

Uncontrolled or Poorly Managed: May face rate increases or require additional medical evaluation before approval. This reflects the higher health risk associated with inadequate treatment.

Rate Determination

Rates for life insurance applicants taking Lumigan depend more on age, overall health, and other factors than on glaucoma alone. An applicant in their 40s or 50s with well-controlled glaucoma and no other health issues will likely qualify for the same rates as someone without glaucoma.

As age increases or if other health conditions are present alongside glaucoma, rate adjustments reflect the total health profile, not glaucoma specifically. For example, a 60-year-old with controlled glaucoma and hypertension may receive a rate reflecting both conditions, but the glaucoma itself is unlikely to be a major rate driver if well-managed.

Being Honest About Pressure Levels

Conservative estimates: Glaucoma underwriting is based on actual measured eye pressure and ophthalmologist assessments, not estimates. If your doctor states your pressure is “slightly elevated,” this is different from “well-controlled at target range.” Be forthright about your ophthalmologist’s actual assessment.

Providing exact pressure readings and direct quotes from your most recent eye exam creates clearer underwriting. Ambiguous statements about your glaucoma control slow the process and may trigger additional questions.

Getting Ahead of Underwriting

Request recent eye exam records now: Don’t wait for the insurance company to request them. Having your most recent ophthalmology report on hand speeds the process significantly.

Provide complete pressure information: Include specific pressure readings (e.g., “OS 16, OD 17 mmHg at most recent visit”). Exact numbers facilitate faster underwriting than general descriptions.

Mention treatment duration: If you have been on Lumigan for several years with stable results, state this clearly. Long-term stability is reassuring to underwriters.

Be clear about compliance: If you take your medication daily and attend all scheduled eye exams, state this. Responsibility for treatment improves outcomes.

When to Be Cautious

If your glaucoma is newly diagnosed: Approval is still achievable, but underwriting may take longer. Provide any available test results showing baseline pressure and ophthalmologist recommendations for monitoring.

If pressure levels are rising despite medication: Be honest about this. Rising pressure may warrant additional underwriting scrutiny, but honesty prevents later policy disputes. Your ophthalmologist’s treatment adjustments show active management.

If you have had eye surgery related to glaucoma: Include details about the procedure, dates, and current status. Surgery for glaucoma management does not automatically disqualify you, but it should be fully disclosed.

Will Lumigan use automatically disqualify me from life insurance?

Direct answer: No. Lumigan use for glaucoma does not automatically disqualify applicants.

Many insurance companies approve applicants taking Lumigan without difficulty. Underwriting focuses on whether glaucoma is controlled, not the medication itself. If your eye pressure is stable and monitored, approval is realistic.

How recently do eye exams need to be for underwriting?

Direct answer: Ideally, within the past 12 months. Exams older than 18 months may trigger additional requests.

Underwriters want current information about your eye pressure status. If your most recent exam is more than a year old, consider scheduling an appointment with your ophthalmologist to obtain current records before applying for insurance.

Does glaucoma affect my life expectancy in a way that impacts insurance?

Direct answer: No. Well-managed glaucoma does not significantly reduce life expectancy.

Glaucoma is a chronic eye condition, not a systemic disease affecting overall life expectancy. People with controlled glaucoma live normal lifespans. The concern for insurers is whether untreated glaucoma could lead to vision loss, which could impact quality of life or ability to work, but this is prevented by ongoing treatment.

What if my eye pressure has been rising over the past year despite Lumigan?

Direct answer: Rising pressure may complicate underwriting, but does not prevent approval.

If your pressure is gradually increasing, this may indicate your current treatment regimen needs adjustment. Underwriters will want to know if your ophthalmologist is aware and adjusting your medication or adding additional treatment. Active management of rising pressure is better than unchecked pressure increases. Include any plans for medication adjustments or additional therapies in your application.

I use Latisse (cosmetic bimatoprost). Does this affect life insurance?

Direct answer: Cosmetic use of bimatoprost (Latisse) does not affect life insurance underwriting.

Latisse is a cosmetic treatment for eyelash growth using the same active ingredient as Lumigan, but at a lower concentration applied to the eyelid margin rather than inside the eye. This cosmetic use has no health implications and will not be a factor in life insurance decisions.

I have glaucoma in only one eye. Does this affect approval rates?

Direct answer: Unilateral (one-eye) glaucoma is underwritten the same as bilateral glaucoma if controlled.

Having glaucoma in one eye rather than both does not significantly change underwriting, provided pressure is controlled in the affected eye and you are compliant with treatment. Your ophthalmologist monitors the other eye to detect any future changes.

I had glaucoma surgery in the past and no longer need Lumigan. Does past surgery affect underwriting?

Direct answer: Past glaucoma surgery does not automatically disqualify you, but details should be disclosed.

Include information about the surgery date, type of procedure, and current eye pressure status. If surgery successfully controlled your glaucoma and you no longer require medication, this is actually favorable—it demonstrates successful treatment. If pressure has returned and you now require Lumigan, disclose the full history.

How long does underwriting take for applicants with glaucoma?

Direct answer: Typically 2-4 weeks. Having current eye exam records available speeds the process.

Straightforward cases with clear, recent records may be completed in 2-3 weeks. If eye exam records need to be requested from your ophthalmologist, add 1-2 weeks. Providing complete documentation upfront significantly accelerates underwriting.