March is the perfect time to make the winning move for your vision. With advanced LASIK technology and trusted surgeons, clearer vision has never been easier-or more affordable.
Our surgeons at The LASIK Institute at Illinois Eye Center use proven, state-of-the-art technology to deliver precise, personalized results-helping thousands of patients see life more clearly without glasses or contacts.
Dr. Kolettis did my LASIK surgery a few months ago, he kept me super calm during the entire procedure the night that my procedure was done I was able to see perfectly clear.
From my initial contact with the LASIK coordinator to Dr. Kolettis, and all the staff from first appointment to my follow-ups, I had a great experience! All the staff was friendly and made the experience simple and smooth.
Everyone was exceptionally kind and caring. I had LASIK done and in less than 24 hours, I have 20/20 vision in each eye. I’m so thrilled and I would recommend this clinic to anyone interested!
Not all LASIK is the same. Illinois Eye Center offers board-certified, fellowship-trained ophthalmologists, state-of-the-art laser technology in a dedicated laser suite, and thorough care before and after your procedure to support safe, effective outcomes.
LASIK has been FDA-approved in the U.S. since 1999, and Illinois Eye Center surgeons have been performing LASIK since that approval, completing thousands of refractive procedures.
Illinois Eye Center uses the Alcon WaveLight® Refractive Suite (WaveLight® FS200 femtosecond laser + EX500 excimer laser). In simple terms: one laser creates a precise corneal flap, and the second laser reshapes the cornea to correct vision.
A consultation is the best way to confirm candidacy. In general, good candidates are at least 18, have stable vision (no significant prescription change over the last 12 months), healthy corneas with adequate thickness, and do not have certain conditions that may affect healing (like significant dry eye disease or autoimmune disorders). Pregnancy/nursing can also affect timing.
Yes. Depending on your eyes and lifestyle, your doctor may discuss options such as PRK, SMILE, ICL (implantable lens), or refractive lens exchange (RLE).
There are no guarantees in medicine or surgery. However, Illinois Eye Center reports that over 98% of patients achieve 20/40 uncorrected vision or better (the legal driving standard in Illinois). Some patients may still need glasses for certain tasks, depending on their eyes and goals.
LASIK permanently reshapes the cornea, but it does not stop normal age-related vision changes. Many people develop presbyopia (difficulty with near vision) after about age 40 and may need reading glasses later—even if distance vision is excellent.
Monovision is a strategy to reduce dependence on reading glasses by correcting one eye for distance and leaving the other slightly under-corrected for near tasks. It can be a great fit for some people, but not everyone adapts to it (depth perception and night vision can be affected). A contact lens trial is often recommended before choosing monovision with LASIK.
Many patients achieve legal driving vision or better by the next day. Vision typically continues to sharpen over the following week to several weeks as healing progresses.
Most side effects are temporary during healing. Some patients notice dryness, light sensitivity, mild fluctuations in vision, and nighttime symptoms like glare/halos/starbursts. These often improve over time, but your care team will monitor your recovery closely.
Most people resume many normal activities the day after surgery, and many are comfortable returning to work within a couple of days (often by Monday if surgery is on Friday). Key restrictions typically include avoiding eye rubbing for a period of time, pausing swimming/hot tubs/steam rooms for a couple of weeks, and avoiding higher-risk activities (sports/trauma risk and pressure-change activities) for longer. Your doctor will give you a personalized plan and timeline.
An enhancement (touch-up) is an additional treatment to refine the outcome if needed. Enhancements are typically considered around 3–6 months after the initial procedure once measurements stabilize. Illinois Eye Center cites an enhancement rate of about 3%.
Illinois Eye Center offers a free LASIK consultation. Call 309-252-4013, or fill out the form above to request your consultation.