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.
"I've been a Kirk patient since I was a kid-- my dad has been a patient of theirs for even longer. I had moved away, but have returned to help my parents. I always thought of them as completely trustworthy, but recently they performed magic for me. TLDR: Hiral Patel gave me the best prescription I've had in almost two decades and Viviana Cano eased my anxiety over switching back to contact lenses after almost three decades of wearing only glasses. Now, all the extra details. Last year, my vision was so bad that I applied for blind disability. My mom and dad insisted that I come home and go to Kirk for a definitive evaluation. Five hours into the appointment, my future was bleak. The final recommendation, a week later, was surgery. My parents were totally ready and willing to pay for it, but I hate spending their money and put it off put if off put it off. I'm going to skip the specifics on the stuff about the bad diabetic protocol prescribed by my primary and how ! ginned up the courage to change my own insulin dosage and how that probably saved my life and jump right to the day when a friend told me that her eyes didn't track together and she didn't see in stereo but wearing hard lenses gave her real vision for several hours a day. I immediately thought "let's get me over to Kirk and ask them about this." I was almost too shy to make the appointment, but the possibility of being able to drive again was too seductive. I called and set the time. I got there an hour early. David and I sat in the parking lot eating precut watermelon from Jewel (same plaza.) I was nervous. Doctor Patel strutted to the lobby to grab me for my examination and I was immediately filled with confidence. Anyone with that much personal security must be great at their job. I was not disappointed. "I want this to work," I offered. She smiled quickly and told me "remember to blink." I'm drowning you in minutiae. Let me bring this to a 10/10 conclusion: my vision is now corrected to 20/20 (I can read a sign from three blocks away!) and the lenses correct my astigmatism and keep my eyes in line. Now: Viviana. When I asked her to take a selfie that she liked (for me to use in this review) she didn't immediately understand that it was to praise and appreciate her. She's extremely deserving of both. I came in two days after my miracle exam, not sure if I had successfully removed the acuvue daily lens from my right eye. She took a peek and confirmed that it was out, and placed an order for some more trial lenses so that I could make sure it was the right fit for me. I came in again today with both lenses still in and significant anxiety over that fact. Today, Viviana removed the lenses and gave me a comforting tutorial that I think might help (and then listened patiently and socially awkward me gave her an unsolicited lesson on trafficking of vulnerable groups in rural areas that flowed from my rant against Loyola facepalm. Patient and kind and so helpful! Thank you."
"I've been a Kirk patient since I was a kid-- my dad has been a patient of theirs for even longer. I had moved away, but have returned to help my parents. I always thought of them as completely trustworthy, but recently they performed magic for me. TLDR: Hiral Patel gave me the best prescription I've had in almost two decades and Viviana Cano eased my anxiety over switching back to contact lenses after almost three decades of wearing only glasses.Now, all the extra details. Last year, my vision was so bad that I applied for blind disability. My mom and dad insisted that I come home and go to Kirk for a definitive evaluation. Five hours into the appointment, my future was bleak. The final recommendation, a week later, was surgery. My parents were totally ready and willing to pay for it, but I hate spending their money and put it off put if off put it off. I'm going to skip the specifics on the stuff about the bad diabetic protocol prescribed by my primary and how I ginned up the courage to change my own insulin dosage and how that probably saved my life and jump right to the day when a friend told me that her eyes didn't track together and she didn't see in stereo but wearing hard lenses gave her real vision for several hours a day.I immediately thought "let's get me over to Kirk and ask them about this." I was almost too shy to make the appointment, but the possibility of being able to drive again was too seductive. I called and set the time. I got there an hour early. David and I sat in the parking lot eating precut watermelon from Jewel (same plaza.) I was nervous. Doctor Patel strutted to the lobby to grab me for my examination and I was immediately filled with confidence. Anyone with that much personal security must be great at their job. I was not disappointed."I want this to work," I offered. She smiled quickly and told me "remember to blink." I'm drowning you in minutiae. Let me bring this to a 10/10 conclusion: my vision is now corrected to 20/20 (I can read a sign from three blocks away!) and the lenses correct my astigmatism and keep my eyes in line. Now: Viviana. When I asked her to take a selfie that she liked (for me to use in this review,) she is so humble that she didn't immediately understand that it was to praise and appreciate her. She's extremely deserving of both. I came in two days after my miracle exam, not sure if I had successfully removed the acuvue daily lens from my right eye. She took a peek and confirmed that it was out, and placed an order for some more trial lenses so that I could make sure it was the right fit for me. I came in again today with both lenses still in and significant anxiety over that fact. Today, Viviana removed the lenses and gave me a comforting tutorial that I think might help (and then listened patiently and socially awkward me gave her an unsolicited lesson on trafficking of vulnerable groups in rural areas that flowed from my rant against Loyola facepalm. Patient and kind and so helpful! Thank you. Infinity/ infinity"
"Dr Patel was very good and thorough. Its a very pleasant eye center."
"Was looking to switch eye doctors and Kirk Eye Center was highly recommended. I made an appointment for myself and saw Dr. Patel and had a very good experience. Every employee I dealt with was very nice and helpful. I was able to get in and out very quickly with hardly any waiting around. After my good experience, I decided to make an appointment for my mom who saw Dr. Scott Kirk. Again, very good experience. All of the employees are very nice and helpful. One of the technicians, Ursula, was extremely helpful and made sure my mom who is disabled was cared for and made comfortable throughout the appointment. The whole office works very efficiently without compromising on care. Would highly recommend Kirk Eye Center in River Forest!"
"I’m just a day after my left eye cataract surgery and feel fine; much of the blurred vision is gone. My experience has been a good one. The doctor and staff that took care of me were experienced in this type of surgery. I liked them informing me of what was happening every step of the way and what each medication given my eye meant. I’m having my other eye also done in February."
"Great staff and Dr Scarpulls and Dr Kirk are very skilled and thorough. I did have a bit of a problem with a young technician that would not explain what test she was doing. She got me so stressed out I had to have Danielle take over and she was amazing. I miss Shirley. I give a 5 star as I have been going to their clinic many years and Dr Scarpulla treated me for Glaucoma and have helped through issues with my eyes. I was recommended for surgery of my left eye. I will eventually do it. God bless you all."
"Hi my experience with Dr. Tyler Kirk was very good he did both my eyes, first Cataracts removal then for my glaucoma he put in a stint to drain the fluid to keep my pressure down. I didnt have any problems. When I went back for my check up he asked me how is your vision now I told him it was so good that I could see what he was thinking. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 he had a good laugh after that so if you want a great Doctor visit the Kirk Eye Center you will see the world much clearer I promise."
"I had refractive lens surgery to correct far sightedness and astigmatism at Kirk eye center, and have had a very good outcome. Scott Kirk performed the incision via laser surgery, and Kent placed the lens...I am very pleased and would recommend anyone interested in vision corrective surgery to consult with Drs. Kirk."
"I had a problem with my contact today so I came over to the center to see Robin in the optical department. She is absolutely wonderful! Knowledgeable and friendly. She examined and decided that I should see dr carter. This was a first time with him and I was very pleased with both his knowledge and manner. A great place to come to when it comes to the health of your eyes."
"Dr. Bauer is great. The staff there is all very friendly and good at their jobs, but the wait is looooooong. I waited 20 minutes before being seen by a tech for the eye exam and then 45 minutes from the time I was seated in that waiting area until I was seen by Dr. Bauer. It just seems excessive to be there for an hour and a half.read more"
"Dr. Bauer is great. The staff there is all very friendly and good at their jobs, but the wait is looooooong. I waited 20 minutes before being seen by a tech for the eye exam and then 45 minutes from the time I was seated in that waiting area until I was seen by Dr. Bauer. It just seems excessive to be there for an hour and a half."
"I recently went in to see if I could get Lasik. I had perfect vision growing up and with age, I noticed my vision getting worse (Presbyopia). First cheaters in my 40s and then monovision and then bifocal contacts and glasses. Then I node my general vision was also declining. At age 58, this was not how I wanted to continue.After an extensive exam, Dr. Kirk advised me that I wasn’t a "good candidate for Lasik" as he noted an early onset of cataracts. It was not immediately noticeable and there was no cloudiness. Dr. Kirk told me the first clue, which resulted in a much more detailed exam was that my prescription changed a full 2 diopters in one year and that was a sign of possible cataracts. A less detailed exam might not have picked this up until they were more developed. My vision would only continue to get worse and undo the good of the Laisik. While the cataracts would not become an issue for perhaps 15 years, I would need to stay in glasses or contacts and have worsening vision each year. The proposed long-term solution would be to have cataract surgery and then have bifocal lenses implanted. Considered elective surgery, it was costlier than Lasik, but it was a "lifetime" solution, meaning my vision would never worsen after the surgery.After independent research, I agreed and have had both eyes repaired. I had the "Restore" IOLs implanted. Their staff are all very helpful and I had all of my concerns addressed. They did not make promises of perfect vision, only that I would see an great improvement. This type of procedure also meant I would never develop cataracts.The eyes were done one at a time, two weeks apart. The procedures were totally pain free. I did decline any sedation, as I wanted to fully understand what was happening. There was no need for it. The doctors (Scott for the first and Kent for the second) both made sure I understood everything that was going on. The follow up care was excellent.The best way to describe the results are miraculous! I now have 20/20 vision in both eyes and am totally free of any additional eyewear (including cheaters). I also noticed that I no longer saw "floaters" which I had begun to see over the past year. I have crystal clear vision and good not be happier."
"I read the reviews on the internet and selected Kirk Eye Center and what a great decision that was. My vision was getting cloudy and I decided it was time to get my eyes checked. I needed cataract surgery and Dr Kent Kirk performed that for me yesterday. The procedure took about 15 minutes and there was no pain during the entire procedure. I had zero side effects: no inflammation, no infection, no swelling, no bleeding, no glaucoma or retinal problems. As I write today online, I can read the computer screen better now than with my glasses. At my followup visit today Dr Kent Kirk told me that everything was so successful that I could start driving again. No restrictions. I couldn't be more pleased. Dr Kent Kirk is the "Michael Jordan" of ophthalmologists. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!"