Laser Cataract Surgery near Chicago, IL

At Kirk Eye Center, we are pleased to perform the most specialized diagnosis techniques and treatment options for cataracts, such as laser cataract surgery. Classified as a clouding of the natural lens of the eye, cataracts typically begin to form around and past age 40. Since cataracts are clouded areas within the actual lens, the lens needs to be extracted and substituted with an IOL (intraocular lens) to eliminate the symptoms of the disease. Laser cataract surgery utilizes cutting-edge technology that can chart out the eye's surface to generate a more exact laser incision, significantly minimizing the chances for complications. For cataract surgery patients who also have refractive errors, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and presbyopia, personalized IOLs are an option that is able to work just like corrective lenses. Schedule a visit with our board-certified team in River Forest or Gurnee, IL to learn more.

Yes, it can. One of the great benefits of laser cataract surgery is that it can simultaneously correct astigmatism as it treats cataracts. There are generally two ways to correct astigmatism, or an irregular elongated shape to the eye, during laser cataract surgery:

• Limbal relaxing incisions (LRI) – a series of small incisions around the outer edges of the cornea that create a more natural, rounded shape to the eye that corrects astigmatism.
• Toric IOLs (intraocular lenses) – durable synthetic lenses that are permanently implanted into the eyes to replace the natural clouded lens can also correct astigmatism.

If further vision correction is needed after your laser cataract surgery, we may recommend LASIK or PRK surgery.

Prior to laser cataract surgery, we will thoroughly anesthetize the patient’s eyes with eye drops. Laser cataract surgery is much like traditional cataract surgery except we implement cutting-edge laser technology to decide on the most advantageous incision site, create the incision, and break up the cataract. As soon as the cataract is disintegrated and taken out, the eye surgeon can insert the selected intraocular lens. Due to its exceptional efficiency, laser cataract surgery technology yields excellent results with a shorter recovery downtime than traditional surgery. Both types of cataract surgery are usually short, outpatient treatments, taking 10 – 20 minutes.

The healing period for laser cataract surgery normally ranges from 1 – 2 months, and it is important to follow post-surgery directions during this time. People who undergo laser cataract surgery need to use specific kinds of prescription eye drops for a few weeks of the recovery process, and it is extremely important that they don't rub or scratch the eyes while they recover. We may have patients use an eye patch to prevent this. Typically, vision is greatly improved directly after the procedure, but it still appears blurry for about a week until the inflammation starts to go down.

To even further enhance the results of laser cataract surgery, many patients choose to have premium lenses implanted rather than standard IOLs. This is due to the fact that while traditional IOLs can only provide clear sight at a set distance, premium lenses allow patients to see clearly at short, intermediate, and long distances without the need for contacts or glasses. In many cases, these premium lenses can even correct for astigmatism. To learn more, ask your provider about the benefits of premium lenses before your procedure.

If ignored, cataracts could significantly impact your daily life and gradually result in a complete loss of vision. Thankfully, through laser cataract surgery at Kirk Eye Center, you could eliminate your cataracts and dramatically improve your eyesight. Our team encourages individuals who have been diagnosed with cataracts to call our River Forest or Gurnee, IL office for a consultation with our experienced team.