Glaucoma Treatment in Kirksville

Glaucoma Treatment in Kirksville

Don’t Let Glaucoma Rob You of Your Sight

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What Is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness.

It's caused by fluid build-up and increased pressure within the eye that damages the optic nerve that progressively worsens your vision. This disease can cause severe, irreversible vision loss if left untreated.

In many cases, appropriate control and treatment can help prevent further damage to the eyes and protect your vision. International Eyecare Center - Kirksville offers several treatments to help address glaucoma. Learn more about the treatments we provide and contact us to schedule an appointment.

Glaucoma diagnosis


The 2 Main Types of Glaucoma

grandfather wearing glasses holding his granddaughter

  • Open-angle glaucoma: the most common type. It is a lifelong condition that accounts for at least 90% of all glaucoma cases.
  • Angle-closure glaucoma: a rare form of the disease which requires immediate medical attention. It occurs when the angle is closed in many or most areas between the iris and cornea, which reduces fluid drainage and increases eye pressure.

Preserve Your Vision For Longer

Glaucoma: The Sneaky Thief of Sight

There is a reason glaucoma is called “the sneaky thief of sight”--half the people with glaucoma don’t even know they have it! Meaning, they may not have symptoms in the early stages.

Getting routine eye exams is crucial, as they can check for any eye diseases that may be lurking under the surface to prevent any problems from arising by catching them early on.

At International Eyecare Center - Kirksville, we diagnose and help preserve your vision with cutting-edge glaucoma treatments that can slow the progression of the disease.

If you have a family history of glaucoma or have been diagnosed with glaucoma, contact us today.

optometrist in Kirksville


What are the Signs of Glaucoma?

glaucoma signs

As mentioned earlier, glaucoma usually shows no symptoms in its early stages. When signs do manifest, it's usually loss of tunnel vision or peripheral vision. Unfortunately, by the time vision loss has occurred, it cannot be reversed.

That said, the less common angle-closure glaucoma does show a sudden onset of symptoms, including:

  • Extreme eye pain
  • Eye redness
  • Blurred vision
  • Nausea

If you experience any of these symptoms, seek prompt diagnosis and treatment by contacting International Eyecare Center - Kirksville in Kirksville or visiting your nearest emergency room.


Who's at Risk for Glaucoma?

  • Age 40 +

    The prevalence of glaucoma increases with age, with most glaucoma patients aged 40 and up. That said, there is a much rarer form of this disease (congenital glaucoma) that affects infants.

  • Family History & Ethnicity

    Your risk for developing glaucoma is higher if you have a family history of the disease. Those of African American, Hispanic, Asian and Native American and Indigenous Canadian descent have a higher risk of developing this disease.

  • Other Conditions

    High myopia, hypertension and diabetes can increase the risk of developing glaucoma.

  • Eye Injury or Trauma

    An eye injury, trauma or eye surgery can increase the likelihood of developing glaucoma.


Glaucoma Diagnosis & Treatment in Kirksville

Our optometry practice in Kirksville

Photograph of Tara  Guinn
Hours
  • Monday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Tuesday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Thursday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Friday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • Aetna
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Medicare
  • VSP
  • United Healthcare
  • Spectera
  • Anthem
  • Metlife
  • Medicaid

Common Glaucoma Treatments

There is currently no cure for glaucoma. However, several treatments are available to prevent the progression of this sight-robbing condition. With the right care, you have a higher chance of managing your glaucoma and preserving your vision.

Common treatments include:

Eye Drops

Your optometrist will prescribe eye drops to help regulate pressure inside the eye by decreasing fluid production and/or improving drainage.

Laser Surgery

If eye drops aren’t doing enough to reduce intraocular pressure or IOT in open-angle glaucoma, laser surgery may be an option. Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) opens up the drainage system in the eye to reduce pressure.

SLT is successful in 80% of cases and can reduce eye pressure by 20%.

Other Surgeries

If a laser procedure or eye drops do not lower eye pressure to the desired level, your eye doctor may recommend one of the following surgeries:

  • Incision Surgery
  • Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS)
  • Glaucoma Drainage Implants
Patient Reviews
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343 Reviews
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- Mar. 10, 2023
Dr. Tara Guinn is simply awesome and the whole IEC team is wonderful!
- Mar. 04, 2023
I've been going to IEC since 2000. Always great service, eyeglass lens prescriptions always accurat... e. Only issue is as an adult with small head, need kids size eyeglasses, and rarely a good selection to fit me to choose from. Eyeglass techs are not well trained to help choose eye glass frames to fit your features, not honest how glasses look on me. Comments on them rarely positive, but learned to accept how I look out of necessity.
- Feb. 08, 2023
Great treatment.
- Feb. 03, 2023
Everyone was helpfully and friendly!
- Jan. 09, 2023
Great service great Dr’s and staff!
- Jan. 08, 2023
The staff is always helpful and friendly
- Dec. 28, 2022
I was diagnosed with fast progressing cataracts from the high dose steroids I've had this year due t... o two MS flares. The doctor was very kind and explained the details of my condition.
- Dec. 09, 2022
Dr. Page is the kind of doctor that listens and gives a thorough explanation of your exam. He is kin... d and has a good, friendly staff. I highly recommend him.
- Nov. 01, 2022
Excellent physicians & staff.
- Oct. 03, 2022
Friendly service. Fast to get glasses.
- Sep. 25, 2022
Fantastic service! The staff was highly efficient and respectful. There was no long wait but they ... did take time to explain everything to me in great detail.
- Sep. 22, 2022
Everyone was very kind, answered any questions I had and in explanation I could understand. Prices w... ere affordable.
- Sep. 09, 2022
Love the whole experience tbh and my bot can finally see far away and Hes absolutely stoked
- Sep. 01, 2022
Follow up on cataract surgery. Staff was on time with appointment, and all involved including Dr. Pa... ge were very friendly, explained procedure so as I could understand what was going on.
- Aug. 25, 2022
The staff was extremely courteous and professional.
- Jul. 30, 2022
I received great service from Dr. Adler and all staff. I recommend IEC for all your eyecare needs!!
- Jul. 07, 2022
I love the frame selection. Very friendly and professional service.
- May. 21, 2022
Staff are very helpful when ordering contacts and glasses!
- May. 20, 2022
Overall good experience. Would have been nice if the lady who gave me the eye test had told me her ... name.
- May. 18, 2022
Always have great experiences with Dr. Page and he always has an answer to my questions!!

View All 343 Reviews

Glaucoma Testing Treatment FAQs

How does an eye doctor diagnose glaucoma?

Since glaucoma has no side effects early on, it is essential for people with a family history of risk factors for glaucoma to get tested. The following tests diagnose glaucoma:

  • Tonometry: measures the pressure inside the eye (intraocular pressure or IOP)
  • Ophthalmoscopy (dilated eye exam): examines the shape and color of the optic nerve
  • Perimetry: measures your field of vision
  • Gonioscopy: checks the angle where the iris meets the cornea
  • Pachymetry: determines the thickness of the cornea to better evaluate eye pressure.
What foods should you avoid if you have glaucoma?

The following are the foods every glaucoma patient should consider avoiding immediately. It should help keep your optic nerve healthy and minimize eye pressure.

  • Caffeine - certain studies show that caffeine contributes to increased intraocular pressure.
  • Saturated fats - a diet high in saturated fats can lead to weight gain, which not only increases intraocular pressure but also cholesterol levels.
  • Trans fats - try to limit your consumption of trans fats because as they can also raise cholesterol levels
  • Salt - make sure to consume salt sparingly, as increased blood pressure can indirectly lead to intraocular pressure.
What percentage of glaucoma patients go blind?

About 60% of patients diagnosed with glaucoma will eventually lose some vision.

However, the rate of legal blindness among glaucoma patients is 5%. Getting effective treatment early on will greatly increase your ability to preserve and maximize your vision.


glaucoma surgery

Don’t lose sight of your future.

With early detection and treatment, glaucoma can be controlled.

Schedule Eye Exam