Laser Eye Surgery in Chicago / Des Plaines, Illinois

Dr. James Katz of the Midwest Center for Sight is a highly skilled board-certified ophthalmologist who utilizes the latest surgical techniques and laser-guided technologies to help LASIK Chicago patients obtain optimal vision. Using his experience and expert knowledge, Dr. Katz is able to produce remarkable results for those who suffer from impaired vision as a result of nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. To learn more about the benefits of LASIK, please explore the paragraphs below.

The Benefits of LASIK

LASIK (short for laser assisted in-situ keratomileusis) is the best treatment option for patients who wish to reduce or completely eliminate their dependency on corrective eyewear. This is accomplished through a combination of leading-edge surgical lasers, including the state-of-the-art excimer laser, which Dr. Katz uses to reshape the cornea, thereby eliminating even the smallest vision flaws. When compared to early treatment methods for nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism, which involved strategically placed incisions in the cornea, LASIK provides patients with unsurpassed accuracy and maximum safety and has led to improved vision for millions of LASIK patients around the world. In addition, LASIK involves the creation of a corneal flap, which is placed back in its original position following surgery to protect the eye during the healing process. This results in a speedy recovery and greatly reduces the possibility of scarring and other postoperative complications associated with traditional treatment methods.

How Does LASIK Treat Refractive Errors?

Dr. Katz uses LASIK eye surgery to provide treatment for the following refractive errors.

Nearsightedness (myopia) – a refractive error in which collimated light produces image focus in front of the retina, making distant objects appear distorted and blurry. To correct myopia, Dr. Katz uses the LASIK eye surgery method to remove a certain amount of corneal tissue, making the shape of the cornea flatter and thereby allowing the light to focus properly on the retina.

Farsightedness (hyperopia) – the opposite of myopia. The collimated light produces image focus beyond the retina, making close objects appear distorted and blurry. To correct hyperopia, Dr. Katz uses the LASIK eye surgery method to remove corneal tissue from the central cornea, making the shape of the cornea steeper, thereby allowing the light to focus properly on the retina.

Astigmatism – a vision impairment in which the cornea is abnormally curved, causing out-of-focus vision. To correct astigmatism, Dr. Katz uses the LASIK eye surgery method to remove corneal tissue from one side of the cornea more than the other, making the shape of the cornea more spherical, thereby allowing the light to focus properly on the retina.

Laser Eye Surgery (LASIK) Procedure

Dr. Katz starts the LASIK procedure by administering anesthetic eye drops for maximum patient comfort. Next, a lid speculum is placed to prevent blinking during the procedure. Once this is accomplished, Dr. Katz will use a microkeratome to create the corneal flap (protective tissue). The creation of the corneal flap is a painless procedure; however, some patients may feel slight pressure. Once the corneal flap is lifted, an excimer laser is used to reshape the cornea, thereby correcting refractive errors. The excimer laser treatment only lasts a few minutes, after which the corneal flap is placed in its original position to aid in the healing process. Any discomfort associated with LASIK should subside within 12 to 24 hours following laser eye surgery.

LASIK Eye Surgery Candidacy

The best candidates for LASIK eye surgery are individuals over the age of 18 who wish to achieve improved vision and reduce their dependency on corrective eyewear. LASIK candidates must have realistic expectations and understand that not everyone is able to achieve 20/20 vision. However, Dr. Katz has an excellent track record of creating remarkable vision correction results that allow our LASIK Chicago patients to achieve their maximum level of vision acuity.

Individuals whose corneas are too thin for the creation of the corneal flaps associated with the LASIK procedure may be better candidates for a different type of vision correction method offered by Dr. James Katz of the Midwest Center for Sight. To learn more about LASIK and find out whether you are a candidate for this life-enhancing procedure, please schedule a one-on-one consultation with our LASIK specialist Dr. James Katz by calling our office.