Mon-Fri: 8:00am - 4:30pm
Looking for LASIK eye surgery Cragin residents trust? Finding the right surgeon can feel like a big decision. You've got quite a few healthcare options nearby. But when it comes to your eyes, sometimes heading downtown for the absolute best care just makes sense.
Kraff Eye Institute sits in downtown Chicago's medical district. For over three decades, Cragin residents have trusted us with their vision correction. Dr. Colman Kraff actually pioneered laser vision correction right here in Chicagoland. He performed the very first VISX Excimer Laser procedure in the area.
Getting to our downtown location from Cragin is easy. You can take the Blue Line from Irving Park or hop on the Kennedy Expressway. Cragin residents tell us they love how central we are in the Loop. And there's real peace of mind knowing you're choosing a practice that's performed over 70,000 laser procedures since 1991.
To schedule a consultation, please call (312) 444-1111. To inquire about other services, please fill out our Vision Correction Consultation form.
To schedule a consultation, please call (312) 444-1111. To inquire about other services, please fill out our Vision Correction Consultation form.
Schedule ConsultationYour path to clearer vision starts with understanding what's available at our Washington Street facility. LASIK eye surgery remains our most popular procedure. We use state-of-the-art VISX laser technology to reshape your cornea with remarkable precision. Beyond traditional LASIK, we offer PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) for patients whose corneal thickness or lifestyle makes them better candidates.
Custom wavefront LASIK gives you an even more personalized approach. It maps your eye's unique imperfections to deliver superior visual outcomes. For those dealing with presbyopia, our monovision LASIK technique can reduce your dependence on reading glasses. Each treatment plan gets carefully tailored to your specific visual needs and lifestyle. This means you get the best results whether you're headed to work or enjoying time at Riis Park with your family.
The decision to travel to downtown Chicago for LASIK eye surgery Cragin residents trust reflects your commitment to quality outcomes. Local clinics simply can't match what we provide. As one of only ten centers nationwide selected for FDA clinical trials of new laser vision technology, Kraff Eye Institute gives you access to cutting-edge treatments before they're widely available.
Dr. Kraff's national recognition for performing hundreds of advanced laser corrections annually means you're trusting your vision to proven expertise. The combination of experience and innovation creates an environment where precision meets compassion. Our team gets that Cragin residents value both convenience and quality. That's why we've structured our practice to minimize your visits while maximizing your results.
The trip from Cragin becomes minor when you consider the lifetime of clear vision ahead. Many patients combine their procedure with downtown errands or lunch in the Loop. It makes the trip feel less like a medical appointment and more like a productive day out.
Our office is at 25 E Washington Street on the sixth floor. If you're coming from Cragin, the Loop's probably familiar to you already. We're right in the medical district where a lot of the good doctors practice.
The Chicago Theatre is your big landmark. That huge marquee on State Street is impossible to miss. Once you spot that, you're basically there. Millennium Park is just a few blocks east if you get here early and want to walk around beforehand. A lot of our Cragin patients do that.
Block 37 is right at State and Washington if you need to grab lunch or do some shopping. The Chicago Cultural Center is nearby too—the one with the fancy Tiffany dome inside. At street level, there are coffee shops where you can grab a quick cup before coming up, or nicer restaurants if you want to make a day of it.
If you're staying overnight (some people do after the procedure), the Palmer House Hilton and Hyatt Centric Loop are both walking distance. Your family can easily get around downtown while you rest up.
The drive from Cragin is pretty straightforward. Most of our patients take the Kennedy. Here's what works best:
Distance and timing: About 8-9 miles total. Budget 15-20 minutes if traffic is moving.
Rush hour tip: Morning rush (7-9 AM) adds another 15-20 minutes easy. The Kennedy gets packed. Friday afternoons after 3 PM are also rough. Try to schedule around those times if you can.
Parking advice: There are several parking garages nearby. The Millennium Park Garage is close and usually has space. Street parking in the Loop is a nightmare, so we definitely recommend a garage.
Your journey to visual freedom begins with a single phone call to (312) 444-1111. Our experienced team at Kraff Eye Institute welcomes consultations Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Saturday appointments are available by special arrangement.
Located at 25 E Washington Street, Suite 606, Chicago, IL 60602, our office gives you a comfortable, state-of-the-art environment. Your vision goals become reality here. Don't let another day pass wondering what life could be like without glasses or contacts.
Cragin residents consistently tell us that the trip to downtown Chicago proved to be one of their best investments. Call today to discover why patients travel from throughout Chicagoland to experience the Kraff Eye Institute difference.
The best candidates for LASIK are at least 18 years old with a stable prescription for at least a year. Your eyes need to be healthy—no active infections, severe dry eye, or corneal diseases. Most people with nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism qualify.
During your free consultation, Dr. Kraff will do a thorough exam. He'll measure your corneal thickness, check your prescription, and look at your overall eye health. Some people aren't good candidates for LASIK but can still get PRK or other procedures. About 95% of patients achieve 20/40 vision or better after surgery, which is good enough to drive without glasses.(1) The consultation is really the only way to know for sure if you're a good fit.
Here's what most Cragin patients experience: Day one (surgery day), your eyes might feel gritty or watery. Kind of like you got chlorine in them at the pool. Vision is usually blurry but improving already. You'll sleep a lot. Day two, most people see well enough to drive to their follow-up appointment. You can go back to work if it's not too physically demanding. Day three to seven, your vision keeps getting clearer. Eyes might still feel a bit dry. You'll use the eye drops we give you.
Week two and beyond, you're pretty much back to normal. Most restrictions are lifted. Full healing takes about three to six months, but you'll be functioning normally way before that. The key is following the post-op instructions—no rubbing your eyes, wear the eye shields at night, use your drops. Cragin residents tell us the recovery is easier than they expected.
Yes, we typically do both eyes during the same appointment. The actual laser time is only about 10-15 seconds per eye. The whole procedure takes about 15 minutes total for both eyes. Doing them together means one recovery period instead of two.
Some patients worry about this, but it's actually better. If we did them on separate days, you'd have mismatched vision between procedures, which feels weird. Plus, you'd have to arrange transportation twice and take time off work twice. The vast majority of our Cragin patients choose to do both eyes at once. You'll have someone drive you home, rest up that day, and be on your way to better vision.
You can simply CALL US or make an appointment using the online forms at the links below
312-444-1111Schedule Consultation
