John Gelvin, O.D.

Locations Served: Lee’s Summit, Belton, and Warrensburg


Born in Lawrence, Kansas, Dr. Gelvin earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and went on to earn his Doctor of Optometry from Indiana University College of Optometry. Following graduation, he completed a residency in Advanced Ophthalmic Disease at the W.W. Hastings Indian Hospital in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, and a residency in Vision Education Foundation at Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City.
Dr. Gelvin has decades of extensive professional experience, having worked at practices in Northern Indiana and Kansas City before joining the team at Eyecare Specialties. He believes in using his extensive clinical research and educational experience to preserve his patients’ vision and eye health. He also has a background working in an optometric referral center, which gave him a passion for working with patients who have acute and chronic eye diseases, including glaucoma.

Under the care of Dr. John Gelvin, your time is respected and valued, and you’ll receive the best eye care for your unique needs.

DR. JOHN GELVIN IS SERVING PATIENTS AT OUR LEE’S SUMMIT, BELTON, AND WARRENSBURG OFFICES!

After growing up in Grand Island, Nebraska, Dr. Gelvin spent 20 years practicing optometry in Kansas City. His research work has appeared in medical textbooks and journals, including Optometry Clinics and Journal of the American Optometric Association. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry, and a member of both the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, and the American Optometric Association.

Dr. Gelvin has also devoted his efforts to a number of community organizations. He served as the director of Christian Vision Eye Services to Haiti for 25 years as part of his role in the Fellowship of Christian Optometrists, International, Inc. During that period, he was also on the board for the Christianville Foundation in Carfour, Haiti for 10 years. Today, he’s one of the 135 members of the Optometric Glaucoma Society in the United States.

Dr. Gelvin now lives in Lake Winnebago with his wife, Kaydra, where they frequently host their children and grandchildren. He truly enjoys learning about his patients and getting to know them on a personal level. He also enjoys sharing his many stories of his time in Haiti and is fluent in Haitian Creole.

A S
September 17, 2026
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
Another wonderful visit today with the staff at Eyecare Specialties!!! It’s always a pleasure to come here and made to feel well taken care of! Always professional, always friendly, and looking forward to my next appointment.❤️ Thank you to these ladies Kaylea, Jarielys, and Rachel 🌺
M L
September 17, 2026
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
I was very pleased with the service they provided. Receptionist were very friendly. Eye exam was thorough and answered my questions and explained everything. Picking out new frames was made easy.
K C
September 17, 2026
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
I broke the frame on my glasses Walmart refused to fix them because I hadn't purchased them at there store. It went down the street to eye specialist they put my lenses in a new frame inbound 10 minutes and didn't charge me a dime. The frame was actually better that my old one in this day and age when big corporations are Charging high prices for everything. This place charged me nothing that's incredible and with that charitable act they have a customer for life Thank you Eye Care Special
S K
September 12, 2026
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
Awesome Doctor and staff. Everyone was friendly and Dr Kyle Johnson has a great sense of humor and is very thorough. Will be going back for sure!
J W
September 11, 2026
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
Im 32 years old and never owned a pair of glasses before. Ashley was awesome in helping me choose a pair and actually made it fun. I got a pair of prescription sunglases and the Columbia frames. Im super happy with my purchase! I recommend their services.
J V
September 10, 2026
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
Check-in, pre check plus trainee and Doctor where all professional , they even laughed at my off beat humor which made it a better experience for me. I have only gone to Walmart the past 20 years to get my glasses but I won’t go anywhere else for my future glasses needs.
A A
September 9, 2026
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
They were very prompt and I was in and out in less than 30 mins. They are all very friendly I'm the office also.
G K
September 8, 2026
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
Rachel and Ashley were the absolute best! Got me right in and helped me with everything I needed! They always make my visits so great!
G D
September 3, 2026
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
My daughter Genny said she liked the doctor 😊
G M
September 2, 2026
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
Everything was great 👍