Glaucoma

What Is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that progressively damage the optic nerve — the bundle of nerve fibers that carries visual information from your eye to your brain. In most cases, this damage is caused by elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), though some forms of glaucoma occur at normal pressure levels. It is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, affecting over 3 million Americans. At Professional Eyecare in Overland Park, we invest in the most advanced glaucoma detection and monitoring technology available so we can identify the disease at its earliest stage — often years before you notice any change in your vision. Our glaucoma treatment plans are personalized to each patient and may include medicated eye drops, lifestyle modifications, and referral for laser or surgical intervention when appropriate. We monitor your condition with regular follow-up visits that include OCT imaging, visual field testing, and eye pressure checks to ensure your treatment is working effectively.

How Is Glaucoma Treated?

• check_circlePrescription eye drops (prostaglandin analogs, beta-blockers, alpha-agonists) to lower intraocular pressure
• check_circleiCare IC200 rebound tonometry for painless, air-puff-free pressure monitoring at every visit
• check_circleOCT nerve fiber layer analysis on the Topcon Maestro2 and Zeiss Cirrus 500 to detect thinning before vision loss
• check_circleVirtualField VR visual field testing to map and track peripheral vision changes over time
• check_circleOptos Optomap Daytona ultra-widefield retinal imaging to evaluate optic nerve head and surrounding retina
• check_circleReferral for selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) when drops alone are insufficient
• check_circleSurgical referral (trabeculectomy, MIGS) for advanced or treatment-resistant glaucoma
• check_circleLifestyle counseling including regular exercise, dietary considerations, and medication compliance strategies

How Is Glaucoma Treated in Overland Park?

At Professional Eyecare in Overland Park, glaucoma treatment starts with a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation and a personalized treatment plan designed to lower your intraocular pressure and protect the optic nerve from further damage. For most patients, first-line glaucoma treatment involves prescription eye drops — such as prostaglandin analogs (latanoprost, bimatoprost), beta-blockers (timolol), or combination drops — that reduce fluid production or improve drainage within the eye. Our doctors monitor your response to treatment at regular follow-up visits using the iCare IC200 rebound tonometer for painless pressure checks and OCT imaging on the Topcon Maestro2 and Zeiss Cirrus 500 to track nerve fiber layer thickness over time. When eye drops alone are not sufficient to control pressure, we refer patients to trusted Kansas City-area ophthalmologists for selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT), minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS), or traditional trabeculectomy — and we continue to provide all follow-up monitoring and co-management locally in Overland Park.

Can Glaucoma Be Cured?

There is currently no cure for glaucoma, and any vision lost to the disease cannot be restored. However, with early detection and consistent treatment, most patients can preserve their remaining vision and maintain their quality of life for decades. The goal of all glaucoma treatment — whether eye drops, laser therapy, or surgery — is to lower intraocular pressure to a level that stops or slows further optic nerve damage. This is why regular eye exams and ongoing monitoring are so critical. At Professional Eyecare in Overland Park, we make glaucoma treatment as convenient as possible with two locations, same-day appointments, and comfortable, patient-friendly diagnostic technology that makes follow-up visits quick and painless.

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