If you're a Schiller Park resident considering LASIK eye surgery in Chicago, understanding eligibility factors is crucial for setting appropriate expectations. Not everyone is an ideal candidate for this transformative procedure.

You may not be eligible for LASIK if you have certain corneal conditions like keratoconus or corneal thinning, as these can increase complication risks. Pregnant or nursing women should postpone LASIK until hormone levels stabilize, typically 3-6 months after weaning. Patients with autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis or severe dry eye syndrome may face healing challenges that make alternative procedures more suitable.

Those under 18 aren't typically candidates because vision often continues changing throughout adolescence. Certain medications, particularly those affecting wound healing or causing dry eye, may temporarily disqualify you. The good news? Many Schiller Park patients initially deemed ineligible for LASIK discover they're perfect candidates for alternative procedures like PRK or SMILE. During your consultation at Kraff Eye Institute, our comprehensive evaluation determines your optimal path to visual freedom, ensuring you receive the procedure best suited to your unique eye characteristics.

Yes, LASIK eye surgery in Chicago effectively corrects astigmatism for most Schiller Park patients, often eliminating the need for glasses or contact lenses entirely. Astigmatism—that frustrating vision condition where your cornea has an irregular shape causing blurred or distorted vision—responds remarkably well to modern LASIK techniques. At Kraff Eye Institute, we specialize in treating all forms of astigmatism, from mild to severe cases.

The precision of our advanced excimer laser technology allows Dr. Kraff to reshape your cornea with exceptional accuracy, addressing the specific irregularities causing your astigmatism. For Schiller Park residents with particularly complex astigmatism, our wavefront-guided or topography-guided LASIK provides even more customized treatment by mapping microscopic imperfections unique to your visual system. The procedure typically takes less than 10 minutes per eye, with most patients experiencing dramatically improved vision within 24 hours.

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

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

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

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

At your three-month follow-up appointment, Dr. Kraff will assess your visual outcome and discuss whether you've reached your maximum improvement. The vast majority of our Schiller Park patients report that their final visual outcome exceeds their expectations, with many achieving better vision than they ever experienced with glasses or contacts.