See more clearly, starting today.

LASIK, PRK, ICL... What? Acronyms can be confusing, but you don't have to figure it out on your own. We've got you covered!

Clear Guidance, Confident Choice

It’s completely normal to feel unsure about which vision procedure is right for you. Most people arrive here feeling the same way; curious, hopeful, and a little overwhelmed. If that’s you, you’re in the right place.

At Chu Vision, we walk with you step by step. You’ll get a clear understanding of your options so you can make a confident choice that fits your eyes, your goals, and your lifestyle.

The Right Option Starts With You

Before you dive into specific procedures, here’s a simple way to start making sense of what might work for you:

Start with your goal.

Do contacts irritate your eyes or feel dry by the end of the day so you want to see without them? Do glasses get in the way at work or when doing what you enjoy, so leaving them behind sounds amazing? Are reading glasses an annoyance you'd like less of? Clarifying your goal helps us narrow in on the best procedures for you.

Consider your eyes.

Your prescription, corneal thickness, dryness, and lens health all play a role. You don’t need to know any of this yet, your evaluation will define it. But it helps to understand that different procedures serve different eye types.

Match your lifestyle.

Do you want the fastest recovery? Prefer a non-laser option? Want something reversible? Your daily activities and comfort level help us guide you toward the best fit.

Watch Dr. Chu on Twin Cities Live

Trusted by the Twin Cities community, Dr. Chu explains vision options and new technology.

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See Clearly at Any Age

Your eyes and vision needs evolve over time, but the goal stays the same: clear, effortless sight at every stage of life.

18-45

At this age range, most people looking for freedom from contacts and glasses are excellent candidates for laser procedures or an implantable lens. Common options include:

LASIK, SMILE, or PRK: All laser procedures that reshape your cornea.
EVO ICL: A 'permanent contact' lens that is implanted just in front of your eye's natural lens.

45-60

As near vision begins to change (or you grow tired of reading glasses), your choices include correcting near, in-between, and/or distance vision. Common options include:

Custom Lens Replacement (CLR): Also referred to as Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE), this procedure replaces your eye's natural lens with one that can correct the broadest range of vision.
Laser Vision Correction (LASIK, PRK, or SMILE): Reshapes your cornea to correct distance vision. Monovision is an option to provide a fuller range of vision: one eye is corrected for distance, the other for near, resulting in a range of blended vision.
Eye Drops: Nonsurgical treatment for near-vision changes include prescription drops.

60+

Most people are developing cataracts at this age. Surgery can not only remove the cloudy cataract, but it can also bring freedom from glasses and contacts. Advanced Technology Cataract Surgery removes the clouded lenses, replacing them with a new lens. Common lens technology options include:

Modern: Great for clear distance vision!
Lifestyle: A broad range of vision for more freedom. Occasional glasses for extreme near or far.
Custom Light Adjustable Lensesare personalized for excellent distance and intermediate vision (dashboard, dinner plate) with the occasional need for readers.

3 Ways to Correct Your Vision

Laser

SMILE, LASIK,  PRK

Implant

ICL (Implantable  Collamer Lens)

Lens

Custom Lens Replacement (CLR), Cataract Surgery

What Our Patients Are Saying

I am confident in the future health of my eyes

I had LASIK done at Chu Vision today. I was so impressed with every step of the process. They have clearly thought of each step of the client experience. I am confident in the f...

Kielyn S.

If you’re reading this and need a sign to schedule an appointment, DO IT!

PRK was the best decision I have ever done. I wouldn’t have explored surgery options with any other clinic or surgeon. Eye surgery is nerve racking, but Dr Chu and his team had ...

Ciarra

My life has been forever changed

I walked into Chu Vision and my life has been forever changed. I had been wearing glasses for almost 25 years and after doing my research chose Dr. Chu for my surgery. I cannot ...

Bridget V.

I felt totally safe with Dr. Chu’s extensive experience and expertise.

Chu did a great job with my ICL and lasik enhancement. So professional and kind. I felt totally safe with Dr. Chu’s extensive experience and expertise. I went from -19 to seeing...

Katherine D.

I can now drive without glasses.

Chu Vision did a great job. From the initial evaluations through the cataract surgery I had on both of my eyes. Everything went smoothly and as planned. It has now been three mo...

Mike K.

Dr. Chu and his staff are some of the best out there!

We are very pleased with Chu vision. Dr. Chu and his staff are some of the best out there! When you're dealing with your eyes, you want to have the very best and this place deli...

Deb F.

The results have been exactly what I was expecting.

From the first consult to the final surgery, everyone was fantastic to deal with. I was well prepared for what to expect at each appointment every step along the way. They’ve re...

JK L.

Key Differences Between Procedures

LASIK PRK SMILE EVO ICL Custom Lens Replacement (CLR) Advanced Cataract Surgery

Ideal for: People with mild to moderate nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism

Corrects: Nearsightedness (myopia), Farsightedness (hyperopia), Astigmatism

Recovery: 6-12 Hours

Treatment Type: Laser

Key Differences Between Procedures

LASIK PRK SMILE EVO ICL Custom Lens Replacement (CLR) Advanced Cataract Surgery

Ideal for: People with thin corneas or at risk for eye trauma (e.g., athletes, military, first responders)

Corrects: Nearsightedness (myopia), Farsightedness (hyperopia), Astigmatism

Recovery: 4-5 Days

Treatment Type: Laser

Key Differences Between Procedures

LASIK PRK SMILE EVO ICL Custom Lens Replacement (CLR) Advanced Cataract Surgery

Ideal for: People looking for a LASIK alternative, have dry eyes, or high prescriptions.

Corrects: Nearsightedness (myopia), Astigmatism

Recovery: 24–48 hours

Treatment Type: Laser

Key Differences Between Procedures

LASIK PRK SMILE EVO ICL Custom Lens Replacement (CLR) Advanced Cataract Surgery

Ideal for: Higher prescriptions, dry eyes, thinner corneas

Corrects: Nearsightedness (myopia), Astigmatism

Recovery: 24-48 Hours

Treatment Type: Implant

Key Differences Between Procedures

LASIK PRK SMILE EVO ICL Custom Lens Replacement (CLR) Advanced Cataract Surgery

Ideal for: People in their 40s-50s who wear readers or progressives

Corrects: Farsightedness (hyperopia), Nearsightedness (myopia), Astigmatism, Presbyopia (age-related near vision loss)

Recovery: 1-4 Days

Treatment Type: Lens

Key Differences Between Procedures

LASIK PRK SMILE EVO ICL Custom Lens Replacement (CLR) Advanced Cataract Surgery

Ideal for: People with cataracts who want to reduce dependence on glasses/contacts.

Corrects: Clouded natural lens (cataracts), Nearsightedness (myopia), Farsightedness (hyperopia), Astigmatism, Presbyopia

Recovery: 1-2 Days

Treatment Type: Lens

At a Glance:

LASIK, SMILE, and PRK reshape the cornea for lasting vision correction.
EVO ICL adds a thin lens inside the eye, making the procedure completely reversible.
CLR (also known as RLE) and Cataract Surgery replace the eye’s natural lens for clearer, more permanent results.

Still unsure where you fit? That’s expected. Your consultation is designed to answer these questions with clarity and certainty.

Personal Guidance Schedule a Consultation Now!

Take the Next Step Here

See What's Possible

Real People, Real Procedures. Watch unfiltered moments from people who were once exactly where you are, and see how the right procedure made all the difference.

Nicole, LASIK:

Come with me to change my life...

Kayla, SMILE:

This is such a gift!

Jackie, ICL:

Tears of joy!

Kathy, Cataracts:

It made me feel so valued!

Anne, Cataracts:

The night after cataract surgery

A Simpler Experience Than You Might Expect Quick, Comfortable, Safe.

No matter which vision correction option you explore, the experience is often more similar than you might expect. Most procedures take just 15 to 20 minutes, are designed to be comfortable, and allow for a quick return to functional vision. With modern techniques and advanced technology, the focus stays on efficiency, ease, and helping you feel confident every step of the way.

Step 1: Find Out if You're a Candidate

CONSULTATION

Here's where all your questions are answered, and you get a feel for what care is like with us! One of our expert doctors will guide you through all of the vision correction options available and determine which is best for you. You leave feeling excited and confident in your decision.

Step 2: Correct Your Prescription

PROCEDURE DAY WITH DR. CHU

Numbing drops and a mild relaxant keep you nice and comfortable, and in around 15 minutes, you're in and out of the procedure or surgery suite! Most patients describe the feeling as 'weird' but not painful, and you head home for a nice recovery nap.

Dr. Chu performing an eye test for a patient

Step 3: Love Your Vision!

QUICK RECOVERY

Back on your feet with post patients experiencing functional vision the next day, your schedule has been barely interrupted. Recovery is simple: medicated eye drops over the next few weeks make sure your eyes fully heal. That's it! Now you're enjoying freedom from contacts and glasses.

Ready to See Clearly?

Your vision, lifestyle, and comfort level are unique – and your treatment plan will be too.

At your consultation, our team will:

Confirm your candidacy
Explain each option in plain language
Recommend the treatment that best matches your goals
Answer every question you have

You don’t have to figure this out alone. We’re here to guide you every step of the way toward lasting clarity and freedom from glasses.