Chicago is full of vibrant visuals: the Bean’s funhouse reflections, Frank Lloyd Wright architecture, and, on Saint Patrick’s Day, a green river. It’s a pity when all the sights looks blurry around the edges. Luckily, at optical clinics throughout Chicago, LASIK eye surgeries are improving patients’ vision and bringing the city into sharper focus.

What can LASIK do?

Short for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, LASIK can correct vision problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. These conditions result from a misshapen cornea, the transparent part of the eye that refracts light so it can focus on the retina.

How does LASIK work?

In the most general sense, LASIK reshapes the cornea. It starts when the doctor makes a small incision in the cornea's outer layers. This creates a hinged flap that the doctor pulls back, so he or she can use a precision laser to reshape the tissues beneath—a process that often takes less than a minute. The flap is then put back in place so the eye can recover, which usually only takes one or two days. (If you’d rather see LASIK documented on video, we’ve got you covered there, too.)

How effective is LASIK?

Most patients enjoy between 20/20 and 20/40 vision once the effects fully emerge, usually within three to six months.

How much does LASIK cost?

The cost of LASIK in Chicago depends on your provider, your insurance plan, and whether you have a Groupon. However, without insurance or discounts, the average cost of LASIK surgery on both eyes typically runs about $3,000–$4,500.

Is LASIK for you?

Only a consultation with a licensed Chicago eye doctor can determine eligibility. For instance, the procedure is not recommended for people with diabetes or certain eye conditions, and it can't correct presbyopia—the gradual, natural aging process that causes close-up objects to get blurrier.