If you're a Schiller Park residentconsidering LASIK eye surgery in Chicago, understanding eligibility factors iscrucial for setting appropriate expectations. Not everyone is an idealcandidate for this transformative procedure.

You may not be eligible for LASIK if youhave certain corneal conditions like keratoconus or corneal thinning, as thesecan increase complication risks. Pregnant or nursing women should postponeLASIK until hormone levels stabilize, typically 3-6 months after weaning.Patients with autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis or severe dry eyesyndrome may face healing challenges that make alternative procedures moresuitable.

Those under 18 aren't typicallycandidates because vision often continues changing throughout adolescence.Certain medications, particularly those affecting wound healing or causing dryeye, may temporarily disqualify you. The good news? Many Schiller Park patientsinitially deemed ineligible for LASIK discover they're perfect candidates foralternative procedures like PRK or SMILE. During your consultation at Kraff EyeInstitute, our comprehensive evaluation determines your optimal path to visualfreedom, ensuring you receive the procedure best suited to your unique eyecharacteristics.

Yes, LASIK eye surgery in Chicagoeffectively corrects astigmatism for most Schiller Park patients, ofteneliminating the need for glasses or contact lenses entirely. Astigmatism—thatfrustrating vision condition where your cornea has an irregular shape causingblurred or distorted vision—responds remarkably well to modern LASIKtechniques. At Kraff Eye Institute, we specialize in treating all forms ofastigmatism, from mild to severe cases.

The precision of our advanced excimerlaser technology allows Dr. Kraff to reshape your cornea with exceptionalaccuracy, addressing the specific irregularities causing your astigmatism. ForSchiller Park residents with particularly complex astigmatism, ourwavefront-guided or topography-guided LASIK provides even more customizedtreatment by mapping microscopic imperfections unique to your visual system.The procedure typically takes less than 10 minutes per eye, with most patientsexperiencing dramatically improved vision within 24 hours.

During your consultation, we'll measureyour astigmatism precisely and determine if LASIK is your optimal solution orif another refractive procedure might better address your specific astigmatismpattern. With over 35 years of experience treating astigmatism, Dr. Kraff hashelped countless patients from Schiller Park achieve the clear,astigmatism-free vision they never thought possible.

The timeline for achieving your maximumvisual improvement after LASIK eye surgery in Chicago follows a predictablepattern, though individual experiences vary among Schiller Park patients. (1)Most patients experience a dramatic improvement immediately after theprocedure, often waking up the next day with 90-95% of their final visualoutcome already achieved.

During your first follow-up appointmentat Kraff Eye Institute (typically scheduled 24-48 hours post-procedure), manypatients already measure 20/20 vision or better. The remaining visualrefinement typically occurs over the next 1-3 months as your cornea fullystabilizes. For Schiller Park residents with higher prescriptions orsignificant astigmatism, this stabilization period may extend slightly longer,with subtle improvements continuing for up to six months.

Patients often report that their visioncontinues to become crisper and more defined during this period, particularlyfor night vision and in challenging lighting conditions. It's important tounderstand that while most patients achieve 20/20 vision or better, "100%vision" varies based on your starting prescription, cornealcharacteristics, and age.

At your three-month follow-upappointment, Dr. Kraff will assess your visual outcome and discuss whetheryou've reached your maximum improvement. The vast majority of our Schiller Parkpatients report that their final visual outcome exceeds their expectations,with many achieving better vision than they ever experienced with glasses orcontacts.