LASIK (Laser Vision Correction) near Chicago, IL

LASIK eye surgery is more than just a vision enhancement procedure; it is a life-changing experience that has helped millions of people around the world achieve clear, crisp vision. As the most common method of eye vision correction performed today, LASIK offers incredible success rates, with the vast majority of patients achieving 20/20 vision or better. At Kirk Eye Center, we have performed thousands of LASIK procedures, including surgeries on our own family members.

See for yourself why millions of people turn to LASIK surgery for better vision. To schedule a laser eye surgery consultation, contact our office. We welcome patients from throughout the Chicago area.

Laser-assisted in-situ Keratomileusis (LASIK) is the most technologically advanced method of vision correction available today. It is a refractive vision surgery that offers you greater freedom from glasses or contact lenses.

The LASIK procedure sculpts the cornea with the ultraviolet light of a computer-guided laser to correct vision errors such as:

Astigmatism: A common vision problem that results from an irregularly shaped cornea. Astigmatism develops when your cornea is oval-shaped with flat or steep surfaces. Laser eye correction can appropriately reshape the cornea and provide crisp vision. Nearsightedness: The medical term for nearsightedness is myopia. By focusing light in front of the retina, vision becomes blurred. Nearsighted patients can see things that are near with greater clarity than distant objects. Through eye laser surgery, the shape of the cornea is changed, moving the image back onto the retina, producing sharp images.

Farsightedness: Hyperopia is the medical term for farsightedness. It occurs when the eye tries to focus light behind the eye, resulting in blurry vision. People with farsighted vision can see objects at a distance easier than those that are near. Laser eye treatment creates clear vision by changing the shape of the cornea. Age-related loss of near vision: Presbyopia is the medical term for the loss of near vision that happens naturally with age. It typically affects patients in their 40s and 50s. Reading glasses and bifocals have traditionally been the standard vision-correction method for individuals with presbyopia, but the LASIK procedure can eliminate the need for glasses for a majority of patients.

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For most patients, the freedom and joy that accompany good vision far outweigh the risks and possible side effects of LASIK surgery, such as:

• Discomfort: Eyelid tenderness or mild headaches may occur.
• Sensitivity to light: Light sensitivity is common during the first 24 hours after your surgery.
• Halos and glares: Halos and glares may be noticeable immediately after your surgery, but as the cornea heals, these quickly subside.
• Blurred vision: Depending on your age or extent of correction, you may experience mildly blurred vision for a few weeks. However, this effect is so slight that nearly everyone who experiences it can still perform their daily activities.
• Tearing: This usually occurs within the first two to four hours following surgery.
• Infection: Although very rare, infection can occur. We take every precaution to prevent it.

LASIK laser eye correction is a very safe procedure with high success and satisfaction rates. However, it is impossible to predict how your eye will heal with absolute certainty. Any under-correction or over-correction is typically very mild. In the extremely rare event that the issue is significant and there is enough corneal tissue, additional treatment can be performed.

LASIK Success Rate: Does LASIK Work?

LASIK has an incredible success rate. The American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) reports that 96 percent of patients achieve 20/20 vision or better.

LASIK Recovery Time

You will experience noticeably better vision the day of your surgery. Right after your procedure, your vision will be blurry. Go home and sleep for two to three hours. When you wake up, you will notice improved vision. Your vision will continue to improve over the coming days, although you may experience some discomfort over the next four days.

LASIK Recovery Tips And Aftercare

Your LASIK eye doctor will provide you with detailed post-operative instructions to ensure your recovery goes as smoothly as possible. Generally speaking, consider the following tips:

• Rest: The most important thing you can do immediately following your eye laser surgery is to rest your eyes for a few hours. Sleeping or simply taking it easy and not moving after surgery gives your body crucial time to heal.
• Protect your eyes from light: Even if you are not outdoors, your eyes will be tender and sensitive to light following surgery. Avoid the outdoors and wear the protective eyewear supplied by your doctor.
• Strictly follow your doctor’s instructions: Take all of your medications as instructed and keep all of your follow-up appointments.
• Communicate suspicious symptoms: Light sensitivity and mild irritation are common, but if you suspect something isn’t right, it never hurts to check with your LASIK doctor.

With mask mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic, previous glasses wearers are noticing an increased need for LASIK. In order to avoid the fogging up of glasses while wearing a mask, LASIK can eliminate the need for glasses and allow you to see more clearly. You can learn more about the many benefits of LASIK by contacting our Chicago area facility.

Your initial LASIK consultation is a chance for your doctor to fully examine the state of your ocular health and provide you with the information you need to determine the right treatment option for your needs and goals. We will answer any questions you have regarding the LASIK procedure, expected outcomes and your recovery.

If you currently wear contact lenses, we recommend leaving them out for three to four days prior to your initial consult. Do bring your prescription contacts or glasses with you to your consultation. During this initial visit, your LASIK doctor will perform a comprehensive array of tests, including:

• Review of your history with glasses or contacts
• Measurement of prescription for refractive errors
• Dry eye test
• Measurement of pupil size
• Dilatation of the eye to view the retina
• Complete evaluation of overall eye health
• Measurement of corneal thickness

Generally, your LASIK procedure will be scheduled within one to two weeks of your initial consultation.