Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of preventable blindness, yet many people don’t realize they have it until significant vision loss has already occurred. Because it develops slowly and often without early warning signs, regular eye exams play a vital role in protecting your sight. At Blue Valley Vision of Overland Park, we emphasize early detection and provide treatment options to help patients manage glaucoma and maintain healthy vision for years to come.
 

Why Early Detection Is Crucial

Glaucoma damages the optic nerve, which is responsible for carrying visual information from your eyes to your brain. Because vision loss from glaucoma is irreversible, catching the condition in its early stages is crucial. Comprehensive eye exams allow our optometrists to measure eye pressure, assess the optic nerve, and perform visual field testing to identify changes that may indicate glaucoma before noticeable symptoms appear.
 

Risk Factors for Glaucoma

While anyone can develop glaucoma, certain factors increase the risk, including:

• Age over 40, especially for African American and Hispanic populations

• A family history of glaucoma

• High eye pressure (intraocular pressure)

• Thin corneas

• Previous eye injuries or certain medical conditions such as diabetes or hypertension

Understanding your risk level helps guide how frequently you should schedule eye exams.
 

Treatment Options for Glaucoma

Although glaucoma cannot be cured, several treatment options can slow its progression and help protect vision:

• Prescription Eye Drops: The most common treatment, medicated eye drops, reduce eye pressure either by decreasing fluid production or improving fluid drainage from the eye.

• Oral Medications: When eye drops aren’t enough on their own, oral medications may be prescribed to further control eye pressure.

• Laser Therapy: Laser procedures, such as selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT), can improve the drainage of eye fluid and are often recommended when medications don’t sufficiently control glaucoma.

• Surgical Treatments: For advanced cases, surgical procedures like trabeculectomy or minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries (MIGS) create new drainage pathways to lower eye pressure and preserve vision.
 

Living with Glaucoma

Managing glaucoma is a lifelong process. With regular monitoring, adherence to treatment plans, and routine eye exams, patients can significantly reduce the risk of vision loss. At Blue Valley Vision, our team provides personalized care to ensure each patient receives the right treatment plan for their unique needs.
 

Safeguard Your Sight with Blue Valley Vision of Overland Park

Glaucoma is a serious eye condition, but early detection and modern treatment options make it highly manageable. Protecting your vision starts with regular comprehensive eye exams and ongoing care tailored to your risk factors.

Schedule a comprehensive eye exam with Blue Valley Vision of Overland Park and take the next step in protecting your eyesight from glaucoma. Contact our office at (913) 681-2624 to book an appointment today.