Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Summary (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Foreign Currency Translation
(Loss) gain from foreign currency translation adjustments	$ (16)	$ 12	$ (450)	$ 51
Foreign currency transaction gain (loss)	51	(13)	73	(98)
Numerator:
Net income (loss) attributable to Glaukos Corporation - basic	1,159	(2,057)	4,388	(34,951)
Adjustment for revaluation of warrants		(31)
Net income (loss) attributable to Glaukos Corporation - diluted	$ 1,159	$ (2,088)	$ 4,388	$ (34,951)
Denominator:
Weighted average number of common shares oustanding - basic	33,116	32,006	32,691	12,551
Common stock equivalents from outstanding common stock options	3,886		3,555
Common stock equivalents from outstanding common stock warrants		7	1
Common stock equivalents for ESPP	21		12
Weighted average number of common shares oustanding - diluted	37,023	32,013	36,259	12,551
Basic net income (loss) per share attributable to Glaukos Corporation stockholders	$ 0.03	$ (0.06)	$ 0.13	$ (2.78)
Diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to Glaukos Corporation stockholders	$ 0.03	$ (0.07)	$ 0.12	$ (2.78)