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Living in Berkeley gives you the best of both worlds—quiet residential streets but you're still close enough to downtown that a trip to the Loop doesn't feel like a major expedition. When you're considering LASIK eye surgery Chicago has plenty of options, but there's something to be said for going with proven expertise rather than just convenience.
Dr. Colman Kraff has been performing laser vision correction for over 35 years at Kraff Eye Institute. He was the first ophthalmologist in the entire Chicagoland area to perform the VISX Excimer Laser procedure. Since 1991, his team has completed more than 70,000 laser procedures. Those numbers represent decades of people who decided the drive from neighborhoods like Berkeley was worth it for that level of experience.
You're probably already comfortable getting downtown. Whether it's for work, dinner at that new restaurant everyone's talking about, or catching a show, the trip from Berkeley to the Loop is something you've done countless times. The difference is, this time you might be making that drive for the last time while fumbling around for your reading glasses.
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Programar consultaKraff Eye Institute handles more than your typical "one-size-fits-all" LASIK center. Dr. Kraff performs complex cases—PRK surgery for people whose corneas aren't ideal candidates for standard LASIK, custom procedures that actually map out your eye's unique imperfections, and wavefront-guided treatments that can give you better vision than you've ever had with glasses.
Kraff Eye Institute is one of only ten centers in the entire country that participates in FDA clinical trials for new laser technology. You're not just getting today's best treatment, you're potentially getting access to what's coming next. Every procedure uses their VISX laser system, and Dr. Kraff performs hundreds of these advanced corrections every year.
The consultation process is thorough—no rushing through standard tests just to get you scheduled. They use sophisticated diagnostic equipment to determine whether traditional LASIK makes sense for you, or if PRK or another approach would work better given your specific situation.
There are vision centers closer to Berkeley. But when you're talking about permanently changing your eyes, proximity shouldn't be the deciding factor. Dr. Kraff's been performing laser vision correction since before LASIK was mainstream, and his reputation extends well beyond Chicago—he's recognized nationally for his expertise.
Getting to the Loop from Berkeley is actually pretty straightforward. No hunting around suburban office parks or dealing with those massive medical complexes where you spend twenty minutes just trying to find the right entrance. Downtown Chicago's grid system makes sense, and once you're there, everything's walkable.
There's also something reassuring about choosing a practice that's been around this long. Dr. Kraff is board-certified and holds memberships in organizations like the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery and the American College of Ophthalmic Surgeons. These aren't just impressive credentials—they're indicators that other surgeons in the field respect his work.
Kraff Eye Institute sits on the sixth floor of 25 E Washington Street, right in the thick of downtown's medical and financial district. The building has that solid, professional feel you want when you're trusting someone with your vision. From the suite windows, you can look down at Washington Street's constant activity—there's something oddly calming about watching the city move while you're sitting in a quiet medical office.
The location puts you right in the middle of some of Chicago's most recognizable landmarks. The Chicago Cultural Center is just a few blocks away on Washington, and you can't miss the Chicago Theatre's iconic marquee down State Street. These aren't just tourist attractions—they're useful reference points that make finding your way around simple, even if you don't get downtown that often.
Parking is surprisingly manageable. The Grant Park North Garage at 25 N Michigan Avenue is about a two-block walk, and it's covered, which is nice during Chicago winters. If you're just running in for a consultation, there's usually metered parking right on Washington Street. The Millennium Park Garage works too, though it's a bit more of a walk—good option if you're planning to grab dinner downtown afterward.
The whole area has this professional energy that somehow makes you feel more confident about medical decisions. Law offices, financial firms, other medical specialists—it's the kind of neighborhood where serious business gets done.
Since LASIK requires a follow-up visit the next day and you'll want to sleep as soon as possible after surgery, staying downtown the night of your procedure often makes sense. Traffic alone can make the drive back to Berkeley feel longer than usual when your eyes are sensitive.
The Palmer House Hilton on State Street is maybe three blocks away and offers room service, which is perfect when you don't want to deal with bright restaurant lighting. If you prefer something smaller and less expensive, the Chicago Getaway Hostel on Congress has private rooms and puts you within easy walking distance.
For food, you'll want places that aren't too bright or loud. Portillo's on Ontario gives you that familiar Chicago comfort food without any fuss. The Purple Pig on Michigan Avenue has great small plates and keeps their lighting dim—easier on eyes that might still be adjusting. Wildberry Pancakes & Cafe near Millennium Park does excellent breakfast for your follow-up appointment morning.
You've been thinking about LASIK for a while now. Maybe you're tired of searching for your glasses first thing in the morning, or contacts that dry out during long Chicago winters. Dr. Kraff and his team can evaluate whether you're a good candidate and walk you through exactly what to expect.
Kraff Eye Institute
Phone: 312-757-7335
Address: 25 E Washington St, Suite 606, Chicago, IL 60602
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
The regret rate for LASIK nationwide sits below 1%, and Chicago follows those same statistics. But that number can be misleading because it depends heavily on who's doing your surgery and what technology they're using. (1) At Kraff Eye Institute, Dr. Kraff's thirty-plus years of experience and the advanced VISX laser system contribute to satisfaction rates that consistently exceed national averages.
What causes regret usually isn't the surgery itself—it's unrealistic expectations or poor candidate selection. Dr. Kraff spends considerable time during consultations explaining what LASIK can and can't do. He'll tell you if you're not a good candidate, even if it means losing a potential patient. That upfront approach is exactly what prevents regret later on.
For Berkeley residents specifically, the thorough evaluation process means you'll know before surgery whether you're likely to need reading glasses eventually (that's presbyopia, which happens to everyone as they age) or if there are other factors that might affect your long-term satisfaction.
There isn't a hard cutoff age, but the calculation changes as you get older. Most surgeons become more selective after 50, not because LASIK becomes unsafe, but because other age-related changes might make different procedures more practical long-term.
Dr. Kraff evaluates each patient individually. If you're in your 40s or early 50s, he'll discuss how presbyopia (difficulty reading up close) factors into your decision. Sometimes LASIK still makes perfect sense—especially if you're active and hate dealing with glasses during Chicago's winter weather or summer activities along the lakefront.
The key is understanding your timeline. Will LASIK give you enough years of benefit before other age-related vision changes might require additional procedures? For many Berkeley residents in their 40s and 50s who work downtown or have active lifestyles, the answer is often yes. But it's a conversation worth having with someone who's seen thousands of cases over three decades.
Most people are pleasantly surprised by how little LASIK actually hurts. The anticipation is usually worse than the reality. Dr. Kraff uses numbing drops that eliminate any sharp pain during the procedure, though you will feel pressure when the corneal flap is created—think of it like someone gently pressing on your closed eyelid.
The laser treatment itself, which lasts less than a minute per eye, doesn't cause pain at all. You might see flashing lights or smell something unusual (that's normal), but there's no pain sensation.
Afterward, your eyes might feel gritty or dry, especially during Chicago's harsh winter months when indoor heating can make the air particularly dry. This usually resolves within a day or two with the prescribed eye drops and artificial tears. Most Berkeley residents find that following the post-surgery instructions carefully makes recovery much more comfortable than they expected.
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