LASIK Surgery
At Kovach Eye Institute in Chicago, we take great pride in delivering the highest quality of eye care while giving personalized attention and service to each of our patients. With more than 35 years of combined experience, our dedicated team of skilled surgeons has one common goal: to give you peak performance vision without the dependence on contacts or glasses. LASIK laser eye surgery is one of the most popular vision correction procedures we offer because it provides our patients with remarkable vision correction and a fast, painless experience.
At Kovach Eye we believe in vision without limits.
Are you a candidate for vision correction surgery? Take our LASIK self-test to see if it’s a good fit!
What is LASIK?
LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) vision correction surgery can change the way light focuses on your eye’s retina. This is achieved by modifying the cornea’s shape.
For clear vision, light needs to enter through your cornea and the eye’s lens. There, the light rays bends and then focus on the retina. Photoreceptors in the retina turn the light into electrical signals. These electrical signals then travel through the optic nerve and to the brain.
Refractive errors happen when light focuses on the wrong part of the retina. This is what happens with nearsightedness (myopia) and farsightedness (hyperopia). In these cases, the eyeball may be too elongated or short, or the lens is too thick or thin. It can also happen when light doesn’t converge to a single point on the retina, like in astigmatism. LASIK fixes refractive errors by alternating the shape of the cornea.
Are you curious about the cost of LASIK? Use our LASIK Savings Calculator to learn about how affordable LASIK can be.
Our Doctors
With over 700,000 individuals improving their vision with LASIK, the journey to a clear view starts at Kovach Eye.
Benefits of LASIK Eye Surgery
LASIK has so many benefits for our patients, including:
- A fast, painless procedure
- Results are seen nearly immediately
- Reduce or even eliminate the need for eyeglasses or contact lenses
- Improved quality of life
- A high rate of patient satisfaction: over
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Functional outcome and patient satisfaction after laser in situ keratomileusis for correction of myopia and myopic astigmatism
Bamashmus MA, Hubaish K, Alawad M, Alakhlee H
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98% of LASIK patients
report that they are satisfied or very satisfied with LASIK results
SMILE LASIK
Some of our patients seeking laser vision correction may be good candidates for SMILE (small incision lenticule extraction). This is the most advanced form of vision correction surgery. SMILE is ideal for many of our patients, as this procedure provides results and outcomes similar to LASIK but is less invasive, flapless, and offers a shorter recovery time.
LASIK Technology
At Kovach Eye Institute, we are proud to offer LASIK eye surgery using the iDESIGN Refractive Suite! The iDESIGN Refractive Suite provides a new level of technology that analyzes the patient’s entire eye inside and out. This allows our surgeons to perform a LASIK procedure that is truly personalized to each patient.
iDESIGN measures the eye using wavefront analysis as well as corneal topography map imaging. The wavefront analysis measures how light travels inside the eye and details imperfections in your vision. Then the corneal topography scans the outside of the eye to measure tiny variations in the eye’s curvature and elevation. These measurements combined deliver a one-of-a-kind LASIK procedure that is tailored to each eye!
We also employ the AvaGen genetic test, which is the first and only genetic analysis used prior to LASIK or PRK surgery to detect mutations. We are one of the few practices in Illinois to offer this advanced test.
Reviews from Our Patients
At Kovach Eye Institute we are thrilled to have so many ecstatic patients that are happy with their LASIK eye surgery outcomes. 98% of our patients are happy with their outcome but we want you to make an informed decision. After all, these are your only eyes. You should trust the surgeons doing your vision correction and have confidence that you will have a positive outcome. Many of these patients write reviews. If you are researching LASIK eye surgery we highly suggest reading reviews on people’s experiences. Kovach Eye Institute is very well reviewed and has received top comments from patients. We do not cut corners and only provide the safest and best options for LASIK or any type of refractive surgery.
Great staff! The office is brand new and very clean. Dr. Kovach and Monique were both friendly and professional. There is a private parking lot just behind the building, so parking is not an issue. I went in for a LASIK Consult and walked out with a surgery appointment within the month. -Randy L.
Had Lasik done by Kovach and his team a little over a week ago. I already had 20/20 vision the next morning. Dr Kovach explained everything he was doing so I knew what to expect. Every single employee at the Naperville location is always very nice and helpful. I would recommend them to everyone. I even got to choose the time of my surgery so I didn't have to miss work. -Kerri S.
Dr. Kovach and staff were very professional and thorough from start to finish! I’m very happy I decided to do my Lasik surgery here. -Lisa R.
Dr. Kovach is awesome. Staff is unbelievable. Did my LASIK and Dr. Kovach was coaching me through the whole procedure. -Mel J.
Who is a Candidate for LASIK?
The only way to find out if you are a good candidate for LASIK is to have our experienced and skilled doctors examine your eyes. We have a refractive surgeon, a general ophthalmologist, and a retina vitreous specialist. They can discuss your best options and answer any questions you have about laser vision correction.
In general, a good candidate for LASIK:
- Is 18 or older
- Has healthy eyes and corneas
- Has corneas of an adequate thickness
- Has had a stable vision prescription for at least one year
- Is in good overall health
Not everyone is a candidate for LASIK eye surgery. In order to determine your candidacy, you will need to schedule a complimentary consultation. We want to be absolutely sure that LASIK would be the right surgery for you and if it is not, then we will suggest a more appropriate vision correction surgery such as SMILE Laser Vision Correction, PRK or EVO ICL. That’s the beauty of Kovach Eye Institute…We perform multiple types of vision correction procedures. This is why we can ensure the best visual outcomes for our patients.
Preparing for LASIK
The first step in preparing for LASIK is to attend a personal consultation with an experienced ophthalmologist at Kovach Eye Institute. After a brief eye exam and review of your medical history, your eye doctor will discuss the various vision correction surgery options available to you. Together, you will decide which option is right for your unique goals and lifestyle.
Before you arrive at one of our convenient clinic locations for your LASIK eye surgery, please discontinue use of soft contact lenses for 1-2 weeks and hard or gas permeable contact lenses for 3-4 weeks. These lenses can alter the shape of your cornea and may impact your LASIK results.
Also, please note that after your procedure, your vision will be improved, but will not be clear enough for you to drive safely. We ask that you arrange for someone to drive you home after your procedure.
The LASIK Procedure
Before your LASIK procedure begins, your ophthalmologist will apply anesthetic eye drops to help you stay comfortable. A device will be used to gently hold your eyes open so you won’t need to worry about blinking.
To begin the procedure, the eye surgeon will use an excimer laser to create a thin flap in your cornea. Then a femtosecond laser will be employed to gently reshape your corneal tissue to correct refractive errors. The entire procedure takes only
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Lasik: what should I expect before, during, and after surgery?
FDA
Go to Source
about 5 minutes
for each eye! The corneal flap created during LASIK is so small that no sutures are needed: the eye will naturally heal itself. Following a brief recovery at our clinic, you will be ready to be driven home by a friend or family member.
LASIK Recovery and Results
When you get home after your LASIK procedure, you will likely want to rest. Your eyes may feel uncomfortable or itchy, but your eye doctor will prescribe eye drops to help you stay comfortable. You may find that your vision is a little blurry after your LASIK procedure, but this will clear up within a day or two. Most of our patients are able to resume their normal activities within a week of their laser eye surgery.
In a week or less, you will be able to see the full extent of your vision correction! In fact, according to the American Refractive Surgery Council, after LASIK
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LASIK Complication Rate: The Latest Facts and Stats You Should Know
American Refractive Surgery Council
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more than 90%
of patients have vision that is 20/20 or better.
Frequently Asked Questions About LASIK
LASIK typically takes 5 minutes per eye and the laser itself takes about 20-50 seconds to correct your vision. With preparation and recovery time, you should plan on being at your appointment for an hour and a half.
No, the LASIK procedure is painless. You will be given anesthetic eyedrops to numb the eye, and some are given a mild medication to decrease anxiety. There may be a slight pressure sensation around the eye, and after the procedure, you may feel a gritty sensation for the first few hours.
According to the American Refractive Surgery Council, only
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LASIK Complication Rate: The Latest Facts and Stats You Should Know
American Refractive Surgery Council
Go to Source
fewer than 1%
of LASIK patients experience complications. Still, there are risks associated with every surgical procedure. Potential LASIK side effects, while extremely rare, may include:
- Dry eye
- Inflammation of the cornea
- Halos or glare at night
-
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What are the risks and how can I find the right doctor for me?
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
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Increased sensitivity to light
LASIK is an elective procedure, which makes it ineligible for coverage by most insurance plans. Still, we believe that each of our patients deserves access to life-changing vision correction surgery. To help make the cost of LASIK more affordable, we offer convenient LASIK financing.
LASIK works by reshaping the cornea to correct refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. These results are permanent. However, LASIK does not prevent changes to the eyes that naturally happen with aging, like presbyopia (age-related near vision loss). This means that you may still need reading glasses in the future. Fortunately, if you experience new vision problems in the future, the eye doctors at Kovach Eye Institute can recommend the right treatment.
Absolutely. Most of our patients prefer to have LASIK on both eyes at once, since this shortens overall recovery time and helps them realize the results of their vision correction surgery even faster.
Contact Kovach Eye Institute
We understand that you have a lot of options when it comes to selecting a LASIK surgeon in Chicago. We have a very impressive staff of LASIK surgeons with convenient locations all over the Chicagoland area. Kevin J. Kovach, MD is leading the way to bring the safest most advanced technology to Chicago, which makes it possible for us to perform LASIK with superior accuracy and outcomes.
If you are ready to learn more about how we can help you achieve high performance vision with LASIK or another vision correction surgery, please contact us to schedule your personal consultation with an experienced ophthalmologist.
1 Bamashmus MA, Hubaish K, Alawad M, Alakhlee H. Functional outcome and patient satisfaction after laser in situ keratomileusis for correction of myopia and myopic astigmatism. Middle East Afr J Ophthalmol. 2015 Jan-Mar;22(1):108-14. doi: 10.4103/0974-9233.148359. PMID: 25624684; PMCID: PMC4302464. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25624684/. Accessed November 18, 2022.
2 FDA. Lasik: what should I expect before, during, and after surgery? Available: https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/lasik/what-should-i-expect-during-and-after-surgery. Accessed November 18, 2022.
3 American Refractive Surgery Council. LASIK Complication Rate: The Latest Facts and Stats You Should Know. Available: https://americanrefractivesurgerycouncil.org/lasik-complication-rate-latest-facts. Accessed November 18, 2022.
4 American Refractive Surgery Council. LASIK Complication Rate: The Latest Facts and Stats You Should Know. Available: https://americanrefractivesurgerycouncil.org/lasik-complication-rate-latest-facts. Accessed November 18, 2022.
5 U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/lasik/what-are-risks-and-how-can-i-find-right-doctor-me. Accessed November 18, 2022.
The doctors at Kovach Eye Institute have either authored or reviewed and approved this content.
