KIRK EYE CENTER - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Ophthalmologist
• Surgeon at Retina Group Chicago

Dr. Brian P. Larsen is a vitreo-retinal surgeon at Retina Group Chicago in Hinsdale, IL. Patients at Kirk Eye Center may be referred to Dr. Larsen to address diseases of the retina, including diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, retinal artery and vein occlusions, retinal detachments, epiretinal membranes, and macular holes. Dr. Larsen completed his medical training with a surgical internship and ophthalmology residency at Rush University Medical Center, followed by a fellowship in vitreo-retinal surgery at the Medical College of Wisconsin. He began his private ophthalmology practice in 2012. He is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Society of Retina Specialists. He is board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology.

Job Titles:

• Dean Bauer

Dr. Carter Kirk is a third-generation, board-certified ophthalmologist specializing in traditional cataract surgery with IOLs.

Job Titles:

• Certified Optometrist
• Dean Bauer
• Meet Dean Bauer

Board-certified optometrist Dean Bauer, OD joined Kirk Eye Center in 1990 as a dedicated expert in contact lens fittings. He also performs refractive exams to detect and diagnose eye disease and works closely with patients both before and after cataract and refractive surgery. Having grown up as a nearsighted child, Dr. Bauer remembers many visits to the eye doctor, which inspired his own interest in helping individuals see better. He finds great joy in helping his patients gain improved vision and eye health using advanced techniques.

Kathleen M. Scarpulla, MD is a board certified Ophthalmologist who earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at Cornell University and her medical degree at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine where she was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha honorary society. After serving her internship and residency at Northwestern Memorial, she was awarded a Heed Fellowship. She completed her fellowship in cornea and external disease at the UIC Eye Center and has been in private practice since 1990. Dr. Scarpulla specializes in refractive laser cataract surgery, LASIK, ICL's and cornea transplants. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and a member of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons. Dr. Scarpulla has been selected by the Consumer's Research Council for their list of America's Top Ophthalmologists each year since 2002 and has served previously as a clinical instructor in Ophthalmology at Northwestern. Dr. Scarpulla has been married since 1983 to her husband Richard and they are the proud parents of their adult son and daughter-in-law. Dr. Scarpulla enjoys playing golf, hiking, and cooking. Dr. Scarpulla is a board certified Ophthalmologist who specializes in refractive laser cataract surgery, LASIK, ICL's and cornea transplants

Kent Kirk, MD is a board-certified ophthalmologist in River Forest and Gurnee, IL specializing in laser vision correction procedures, including LASIK and PRK, as well as traditional and laser cataract surgery. He joined the Kirk Eye Center team in 1986 to work in clinical and surgical ophthalmology alongside his late father, Dr. Harold Q. Kirk, a leader in ophthalmology who founded the practice in the 1950s. Kent Kirk, MD is honored to maintain his father's commitment to the successful eye and vision outcomes and service-oriented care. Dr. Kirk utilizes advanced techniques and a compassionate approach as he helps his patients attain their best vision. Dr. Kent Kirk is a board-certified ophthalmologist specializing in cataract surgery and laser vision correction procedures (LASIK and PRK).

Job Titles:

• Certified Ophthalmologist Surgeon
• Ophthalmologist

Robert Pearlman, MD is a board-certified ophthalmologist specializing in vitreo-retinal surgery at Retina Group Chicago in Hinsdale, IL. Kirk Eye Center is happy to refer patients to Dr. Pearlman to surgically treat retinal detachment, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, macular holes, macular puckers, CMV retinitis, retinal strokes, flashes, and floaters. For his ophthalmology training, Dr. Pearlman completed his internship at Hahnemann Hospital in Philadelphia, followed by a residency at Temple University. In 2002, he began his private ophthalmology practice. He holds active memberships in the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Chicago Ophthalmological Society, Illinois Association of Ophthalmology, and American Society of Retina Specialists. Dr. Robert Pearlman is a board-certified ophthalmologist surgeon who specializes in treating diseases of the retina, including retinal detachment.

Scott Kirk, MD is a second-generation, board-certified ophthalmologist specializing in general ophthalmology and oculoplastic procedures. He performs general eye exams along with cataract surgery, glaucoma surgery, blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), and BOTOX injections. He is the oldest son of Dr. Harold Q. Kirk, who founded Kirk Eye Center in 1953. Scott Kirk, MD grew up with a natural interest in medicine, having spent summers working as an assistant at his father's practice. Today, Dr. Kirk is proud to carry on his father's legacy as he provides a high level of care and attention for his patients in River Forest and Gurnee, IL. He is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the Society for Excellence in Eyecare as well as the Outpatient Ophthalmic Surgery Society.

Tyler Kirk, MD is a board-certified, fellowship-trained ophthalmologist specializing in the latest surgical options to treat cataracts and glaucoma. He became the third generation of Kirk family eye specialists when he joined Kirk Eye Center in 2012. He is honored to be able to work alongside several of his family members to carry on the legacy of excellent ophthalmology care started by his grandfather, Dr. Harold Q. Kirk. Working at both the River Forest and Gurnee, IL clinics, Dr. Kirk specializes in minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS), as well as customized cataract management, including laser cataract surgery. He is enthusiastic about embracing the newest surgical innovations so he can continue to provide his patients with their best possible vision and eye health.

Board-certified ophthalmologist Carter Kirk, MD is a Chicago area native and is among the third generation of Kirk doctors at Kirk Eye Center. He is an expert in treating corneal disease and external eye disease. Dr. Kirk also specializes in performing small-incision cataract surgery with artificial intraocular lens implementation to help individuals achieve clearer vision. He works closely with his patients in River Forest and Gurnee, IL to provide top level of compassionate, personalized care.

Job Titles:

• Certified Optometrist

Peter Gunther is a Board-certified optometrist and a native of the Chicago area. He is a career Naval Officer with over twenty years of experience in military medicine. After retiring from the Navy in 2018 he returned to the Chicagoland area to be closer to his family. Dr. Gunther earned his bachelo's and master's degrees from Western Illinois University. He went on to attend optometry school at Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, Tennessee. He then completed his residency training at the James H Quillen VA Medical Center in Johnson City, Tennessee. After residency, he attained his fellowship at the American Academy of Optometry. Dr. Gunther has conducted research throughout his career and published papers in several academic journals including the Journal of the American Optometric Association. Dr Peter Gunther is a board-certified ophthalmologist with over twenty years of experience making him an invaluable member of Kirk Eye Center.