Reviews
The team at Kirk Eye Center is dedicated to providing a wide range of eye care services to meet your unique vision needs. We are a family-owned practice founded more than 50 years ago, currently spanning three generations of doctors. Over the years, many patients have trusted us to provide high-quality ophthalmology care in a safe and attentive environment. We invite you to take a look at our patient feedback to learn more about what you can expect when you visit us in River Forest or Gurnee, IL.
"My opinion on lasik surgery at Dr. Kirks Office: 1. Customer service 2. pain 3. recovery & vision... 1. I had lasik surgery at this office and appreciated the medical staff very much. Once you pass the customer service desk the nurse aids and all staff in back are very welcoming and sweet. Made me feel very comfortable compared to a major lasik company I visited months prior and opted out of doing service with. I will say that the front desk team could come across a bit rushed and too busy to really focus on me and truly make me feel "special".... after all I'm forking over a lot of money for lasik right? If you ask me, this is an expensive investment I'm making on my sight so I would expect nothing less then top notch service from the greeters. But they didn't perform the surgery so let's move on. Dr. KIRK was pleasant and well experienced. My first visit with him was short but efficient. I only wish I would have shared more about my eyes so that I could feel like he knew more about my health before surgery. I'm sure he had all he needed with his experience through the exams and all... but I guess just to make me feel more at ease with this ...maybe just a few more questions about my eye history. 2. The pain was excruciating. No one could have EVER prepared me for the pain I felt. Was it the numbing drops? Did they not wait long enough for it to take effect? Was I just not tolerant enough? Were my eyes just too sensisitive from sleeping with contacts over the years? (Something I never shared) am I not good with anesthesia? I had so many questions as to why I felt SO MUCH pain during the surgery process. On my first eye, I felt the cornea lifted up and it burned, but I didn't on the second eye. The pressure on my eyes was unbearable. I was referred here and it was due to several great experiences so I truly don't question the Drs ability and have no negative feedback after my recovery because my results speak for themself ...I CAN SEE!!:) but just the mere fact that I was expecting "a painless" surgery, and maybe just uncomfortable at most is why I give this a 4 star rating. I will say that most people if not all say its painless so now I just question Everyone's honesty on this! The nurses were fantastic during my breakdown..they were holding my hands and really trying to calm me down. Thank you! I truly felt like you cared and I needed it. I just wanted transparency.. I can prep for the pain... Not for uncertainty. But then again maybe I was just different! 3. Recovery.... I could see on DAY 1 after surgery... very sensitive eyes of course. But I was pleasantly surprised that my vision was great so quickly! Normally -5/-4 ....now 20/20....with a little cloud here and there as I continue to heal... I've been told weeks even months will give final results. But I couldn't be happier with my results already!!! Thank you Dr. KIRK and staff!!!"
"Love Kirk Eye Center! They were recommended to me by my mom and my sister in law when I had a bad cut in my cornea. Dr. Kirk took great care of me and I healed up quickly with much less pain than I would have without him. It was my first time in the office, but he made me feel like I had been a long time patient. Staff is great and I feel extremely comfortable with everyone at the office. Highly recommend!!!"
"My opinion on lasik surgery at Dr. Kirks Office: 1. Customer service 2. pain 3. recovery & vision... 1. I had lasik surgery at this office and appreciated the medical staff very much. Once you pass the customer service desk the nurse aids and all staff in back are very welcoming and sweet. Made me feel very comfortable compared to a major lasik company I visited months prior and opted out of doing service with. I will say that the front desk team could come across a bit rushed and too busy to really focus on me and truly make me feel "special".... after all I'm forking over a lot of money for lasik right? If you ask me, this is an expensive investment I'm making on my sight so I would expect nothing less then top notch service from the greeters. But they didn't perform the surgery so let's move on. Dr. KIRK was pleasant and well experienced. My first visit with him was short but efficient. I only wish I would have shared more about my eyes so that I could feel like he knew more about my health before surgery. I'm sure he had all he needed with his experience through the exams and all... but I guess just to make me feel more at ease with this ...maybe just a few more questions about my eye history. 2. The pain was excruciating. No one could have EVER prepared me for the pain I felt. Was it the numbing drops? Did they not wait long enough for it to take effect? Was I just not tolerant enough? Were my eyes just too sensisitive from sleeping with contacts over the years? (Something I never shared) am I not good with anesthesia? I had so many questions as to why I felt SO MUCH pain during the surgery process. On my first eye, I felt the cornea lifted up and it burned, but I didn't on the second eye. The pressure on my eyes was unbearable. I was referred here and it was due to several great experiences so I truly don't question the Drs ability and have no negative feedback after my recovery because my results speak for themself ...I CAN SEE!!:) but just the mere fact that I was expecting "a painless" surgery, and maybe just uncomfortable at most is why I give this a 4 star rating. I will say that most people if not all say its painless so now I just question Everyone's honesty on this! The nurses were fantastic during my breakdown..they were holding my hands and really trying to calm me down. Thank you! I truly felt like you cared and I needed it. I just wanted transparency.. I can prep for the pain... Not for uncertainty. But then again maybe I was just different! 3. Recovery.... I could see on DAY 1 after surgery... very sensitive eyes of course. But I was pleasantly surprised that my vision was great so quickly! Normally -5/-4 ....now 20/20....with a little cloud here and there as I continue to heal... I've been told weeks even months will give final results. But I couldn't be happier with my results already!!! Thank you Dr. KIRK and staff!!!"
"My opinion on lasik surgery at Dr. Kirks Office: 1. Customer service 2. pain 3. recovery & vision...1. I had lasik surgery at this office and appreciated the medical staff very much. Once you pass the customer service desk the nurse aids and all staff in back are very welcoming and sweet. Made me feel very comfortable compared to a major lasik company I visited months prior and opted out of doing service with. I will say that the front desk team could come across a bit rushed and too busy to really focus on me and truly make me feel "special".... after all I’m forking over a lot of money for lasik right? If you ask me, this is an expensive investment I’m making on my sight so I would expect nothing less then top notch service from the greeters. But they didn’t perform the surgery so let’s move on. Dr. KIRK was pleasant and well experienced. My first visit with him was short but efficient. I only wish I would have shared more about my eyes so that I could feel like he knew more about my health before surgery. I’m sure he had all he needed with his experience through the exams and all... but I guess just to make me feel more at ease with this ...maybe just a few more questions about my eye history. 2. The pain was excruciating. No one could have EVER prepared me for the pain I felt. Was it the numbing drops? Did they not wait long enough for it to take effect? Was I just not tolerant enough? Were my eyes just too sensisitive from sleeping with contacts over the years? (Something I never shared) am I not good with anesthesia? I had so many questions as to why I felt SO MUCH pain during the surgery process. On my first eye, I felt the cornea lifted up and it burned, but I didn’t on the second eye. The pressure on my eyes was unbearable. I was referred here and it was due to several great experiences so I truly don’t question the Drs ability and have no negative feedback after my recovery because my results speak for themself ...I CAN SEE!!:) but just the mere fact that I was expecting "a painless" surgery, and maybe just uncomfortable at most is why I give this a 4 star rating. I will say that most people if not all say its painless so now I just question Everyone’s honesty on this! 3. Recovery.... I could see on DAY 1 after surgery... very sensitive eyes of course. But I was pleasantly surprised that my vision was good! Normally -5/-4 ....now 20/20? I do have to say that when you wear contacts vision is so sharp its not the same with lasik. Its almost like a spark of clarity is missing. Wish I would have been prepared for that. Because you expect perfection ... but its more of natural perfection vs modern perfection if that makes sense? Its almost like you do settle for a tiny bit less ."
"My opinion on lasik surgery at Dr. Kirks Office: 1. Customer service 2. pain 3. recovery & vision... 1. I had lasik surgery at this office and appreciated the medical staff very much. Once you pass the customer service desk the nurse aids and all staff in back are very welcoming and sweet. Made me feel very comfortable compared to a major lasik company I visited months prior and opted out of doing service with. I will say that the front desk team could come across a bit rushed and too busy to really focus on me and truly make me feel "special".... after all I'm forking over a lot of money for lasik right? If you ask me, this is an expensive investment I'm making on my sight so I would expect nothing less then top notch service from the greeters. But they didn't perform the surgery so let's move on. Dr. KIRK was pleasant and well experienced. My first visit with him was short but efficient. I only wish I would have shared more about my eyes so that I could feel like he knew more about my health before surgery. I'm sure he had all he needed with his experience through the exams and all... but I guess just to make me feel more at ease with this ...maybe just a few more questions about my eye history. 2. The pain was excruciating. No one could have EVER prepared me for the pain I felt. Was it the numbing drops? Did they not wait long enough for it to take effect? Was I just not tolerant enough? Were my eyes just too sensisitive from sleeping with contacts over the years? (Something I never shared) am I not good with anesthesia? I had so many questions as to why I felt SO MUCH pain during the surgery process. On my first eye, I felt the cornea lifted up and it burned, but I didn't on the second eye. The pressure on my eyes was unbearable. I was referred here and it was due to several great experiences so I truly don't question the Drs ability and have no negative feedback after my recovery because my results speak for themself ...I CAN SEE!!:) but just the mere fact that I was expecting "a painless" surgery, and maybe just uncomfortable at most is why I give this a 4 star rating. I will say that most people if not all say its painless so now I just question Everyone's honesty on this! The nurses were fantastic during my breakdown..they were holding my hands and really trying to calm me down. Thank you! I truly felt like you cared and I needed it. I just wanted transparency.. I can prep for the pain... Not for uncertainty. But then again maybe I was just different! 3. Recovery.... I could see on DAY 1 after surgery... very sensitive eyes of course. But I was pleasantly surprised that my vision was great so quickly! Normally -5/-4 ....now 20/20....with a little cloud here and there as I continue to heal... I've been told weeks even months will give final results. But I couldn't be happier with my results already!!! Thank you Dr. KIRK and staff!!!"
"I am so excited with the result of my Lasik operation at Kirk Eye Center. Since I am so pleased with how the operation went and the result. Here is the overall experience of my procedure. 1. Free consultation / follow up questions I had a Mini-Monovision or Laser Blended Vision as you will find on the internet. Yes, I was scared of having each eye with different visions. Dr. Kent Kirk along with Ms. Joyce Walter covered all questions and concerns I had prior to the operation. 2. Pre-op preparation Usual blood pressure check, eye drops, choice to take sedative pill…I wouldn’t go without it. Nurses were professional and courteous, Dr. Kent also took time to answer additional questions. 3. Creating cornea flap operation Kirk utilize laser cutting method, this is safer than manual cutting method, which I liked. Only thing is that it is a bit awkward, since you will feel heavy pressure and lose sight on that eye temporary. All I did was just focus on center light and being steady as much as possible as Dr. Kent encouraged me to do so by saying “Doing great, perfect and etc etc” for less than 30 seconds each eyes. 4. Lasik operation Allegretto WAVE Eye-Q Excimer Laser System. This machine automatically trace your natural eye movements to eliminate miss firing of laser and it stops, if you move your eye out of the machine’s tolerance. All I did was to keep my eye steadily on green flickering light as Dr. Kent also encouraged me to do. During the procedure, green light do move around and the light become fuzzy. What I did is to chase the green light as much as possible and also try to focus on the center of the fuzzy green light. No worries, I did have a few moments I could not locate the green light, if then, I just focused my eye on where the green light was until see it again. 5. Recovery, day of the operation You will feel sedated from sedative and you will not be able to open your eyes well enough to see. So, when I got home, I immediately wore protective goggles and went to sleep for 3~4 hours, this is easy since you feel sedated. Your eyes will be extra sensitive, so make sure room is pitch black. Don’t worry about eye drops, just sleep it away. I woke up with decent eye sight, enough to function around the house, I still kept wearing sunglasses around the house in dark setting with no TV nor electric devices to soften my eyes hoping for faster healing. 6. Follow up appointment and 1st day I found my eyes already recovered enough to drive. Feeling is very similar to after swam in a pool full of chlorine... Dr. Kent confirmed my combined vision is 20/20, then Dr. tap on my elbow and said “you god 20/20 vision!”…My eyes were still fuzz, so I was still a bit skeptic... I drove to work after the appointment and followed recommended eye drop routines, I even used more tear eye drop (every 30 min) as I found that eyes need moisture to heal. My eyes did not show improvements throughout the day, but they were good enough for me to drive home at night in rain. No depth perception nor weird feeling issue due to Mini-monovision… 8. 2nd day after the surgery I woke up with almost 90% of the fuzziness gone…I found myself totally amazed/shocked by the clarity of my vision… There is a tree in front of our balcony which is about 30 feet away 3 story height. I can even see crease and dark spot on a leaf almost to the top of the tree 30 feet away. If this is the result from Mini-Monovision / Laser Blended Vision (one for nearsighted, another for farsighted correction). I am now a true believer and I am sure my eyes were never this good in my life…what an amazing result this is…I drove to work still wearing sunglasses and tear eye drop every 30 min as thinking of the last 10% clarity… I am still a bit light sensitiveness, but I am so sure it will subside as it progress, I cannot even wait for next few days of improvements to come…"
"I am so excited with the result of my Lasik operation at Kirk Eye Center. Since I am so pleased with how the operation went and the result. Here is the overall experience of my procedure. 1. Free consultation / follow up questions I had a Mini-Monovision or Laser Blended Vision as you will find on the internet. Yes, I was scared of having each eye with different visions. Dr. Kent Kirk along with Ms. Joyce Walter covered all questions and concerns I had prior to the operation. 2. Pre-op preparation Usual blood pressure check, eye drops, choice to take sedative pill…I wouldn’t go without it. Nurses were professional and courteous, Dr. Kent also took time to answer additional questions. 3. Creating cornea flap operation Kirk utilize laser cutting method, this is safer than manual cutting method, which I liked. Only thing is that it is a bit awkward, since you will feel heavy pressure and lose sight on that eye temporary. All I did was just focus on center light and being steady as much as possible as Dr. Kent encouraged me to do so by saying “Doing great, perfect and etc etc” for less than 30 seconds each eyes. 4. Lasik operation Allegretto WAVE Eye-Q Excimer Laser System. This machine automatically trace your natural eye movements to eliminate miss firing of laser and it stops, if you move your eye out of the machine’s tolerance. All I did was to keep my eye steadily on green flickering light as Dr. Kent also encouraged me to do. During the procedure, green light do move around and the light become fuzzy. What I did is to chase the green light as much as possible and also try to focus on the center of the fuzzy green light. No worries, I did have a few moments I could not locate the green light, if then, I just focused my eye on where the green light was until see it again. 5. Recovery, day of the operation You will feel sedated from sedative and you will not be able to open your eyes well enough to see. So, when I got home, I immediately wore protective goggles and went to sleep for 3~4 hours, this is easy since you feel sedated. Your eyes will be extra sensitive, so make sure room is pitch black. Don’t worry about eye drops, just sleep it away. I woke up with decent eye sight, enough to function around the house, I still kept wearing sunglasses around the house in dark setting with no TV nor electric devices to soften my eyes hoping for faster healing. 6. Follow up appointment and 1st day I found my eyes already recovered enough to drive. Feeling is very similar to after swam in a pool full of chlorine... Dr. Kent confirmed my combined vision is 20/20, then Dr. tap on my elbow and said “you god 20/20 vision!”…My eyes were still fuzz, so I was still a bit skeptic... I drove to work after the appointment and followed recommended eye drop routines, I even used more tear eye drop (every 30 min) as I found that eyes need moisture to heal. My eyes did not show improvements throughout the day, but they were good enough for me to drive home at night in rain. No depth perception nor weird feeling issue due to Mini-monovision… 8. 2nd day after the surgery I woke up with almost 90% of the fuzziness gone…I found myself totally amazed/shocked by the clarity of my vision… There is a tree in front of our balcony which is about 30 feet away 3 story height. I can even see crease and dark spot on a leaf almost to the top of the tree 30 feet away. If this is the result from Mini-Monovision / Laser Blended Vision (one for nearsighted, another for farsighted correction). I am now a true believer and I am sure my eyes were never this good in my life…what an amazing result this is…I drove to work still wearing sunglasses and tear eye drop every 30 min as thinking of the last 10% clarity… I am still a bit light sensitiveness, but I am so sure it will subside as it progress, I cannot even wait for next few days of improvements to come…"
"I am so excited with the result of my Lasik operation at Kirk Eye Center. Since I am so pleased with how the operation went and the result. Here is the overall experience of my procedure. 1. Free consultation / follow up questions I had a Mini-Monovision or Laser Blended Vision as you will find on the internet. Yes, I was scared of having each eye with different visions. Dr. Kent Kirk along with Ms. Joyce Walter covered all questions and concerns I had prior to the operation. 2. Pre-op preparation Usual blood pressure check, eye drops, choice to take sedative pill…I wouldn’t go without it. Nurses were professional and courteous, Dr. Kent also took time to answer additional questions. 3. Creating cornea flap operation Kirk utilize laser cutting method, this is safer than manual cutting method, which I liked. Only thing is that it is a bit awkward, since you will feel heavy pressure and lose sight on that eye temporary. All I did was just focus on center light and being steady as much as possible as Dr. Kent encouraged me to do so by saying “Doing great, perfect and etc etc” for less than 30 seconds each eyes. 4. Lasik operation Allegretto WAVE Eye-Q Excimer Laser System. This machine automatically trace your natural eye movements to eliminate miss firing of laser and it stops, if you move your eye out of the machine’s tolerance. All I did was to keep my eye steadily on green flickering light as Dr. Kent also encouraged me to do. During the procedure, green light do move around and the light become fuzzy. What I did is to chase the green light as much as possible and also try to focus on the center of the fuzzy green light. No worries, I did have a few moments I could not locate the green light, if then, I just focused my eye on where the green light was until see it again. 5. Recovery, day of the operation You will feel sedated from sedative and you will not be able to open your eyes well enough to see. So, when I got home, I immediately wore protective goggles and went to sleep for 3~4 hours, this is easy since you feel sedated. Your eyes will be extra sensitive, so make sure room is pitch black. Don’t worry about eye drops, just sleep it away. I woke up with decent eye sight, enough to function around the house, I still kept wearing sunglasses around the house in dark setting with no TV nor electric devices to soften my eyes hoping for faster healing. 6. Follow up appointment and 1st day I found my eyes already recovered enough to drive. Feeling is very similar to after swam in a pool full of chlorine... Dr. Kent confirmed my combined vision is 20/20, then Dr. tap on my elbow and said “you god 20/20 vision!”…My eyes were still fuzz, so I was still a bit skeptic... I drove to work after the appointment and followed recommended eye drop routines, I even used more tear eye drop (every 30 min) as I found that eyes need moisture to heal. My eyes did not show improvements throughout the day, but they were good enough for me to drive home at night in rain. No depth perception nor weird feeling issue due to Mini-monovision… 8. 2nd day after the surgery I woke up with almost 90% of the fuzziness gone…I found myself totally amazed/shocked by the clarity of my vision… There is a tree in front of our balcony which is about 30 feet away 3 story height. I can even see crease and dark spot on a leaf almost to the top of the tree 30 feet away. If this is the result from Mini-Monovision / Laser Blended Vision (one for nearsighted, another for farsighted correction). I am now a true believer and I am sure my eyes were never this good in my life…what an amazing result this is…I drove to work still wearing sunglasses and tear eye drop every 30 min as thinking of the last 10% clarity… I am still a bit light sensitiveness, but I am so sure it will subside as it progress, I cannot even wait for next few days of improvements to come…"