Laser Eye Surgery Center

Expert LASIK Eye Surgery Chicago Services for Melrose Park Residents

When you're ready to say goodbye to glasses and contacts, finding the right surgeon matters. Kraff Eye Institute sits at 25 E Washington St in downtown Chicago, where we've completed more than 70,000 procedures since 1991.

Yes, getting from Melrose Park to the Loop means battling Grand Avenue traffic, but patients from your neighborhood keep making the drive because they know experience counts when it comes to their eyes.

Consultation Appointment

To schedule a consultation, please call (312) 444-1111. To inquire about other services, please fill out our Vision Correction Consultation form.

Schedule Consultation

Comprehensive Vision Correction Solutions

Your eyes aren't like anyone else's, so why settle for cookie-cutter treatment? At Kraff Eye Institute, LASIK eye surgery remains our bread and butter, using the VISX Excimer Laser to fix nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism in roughly 15 minutes.

Got thin corneas? PRK delivers the same crystal-clear results through a different technique. We also tackle cataracts with premium lens implants that often eliminate reading glasses too.

Before suggesting any procedure, we map your eyes with diagnostic gear that catches details other practices might miss—because doing it right beats doing it over.

Why Chicagoland Chooses Kraff Eye Institute

In a city full of laser centers, what brings Melrose Park patients downtown? Start with Dr. Colman Kraff, who performed Chicagolandhttps://kraffeye.com/locations/oak-brook's very first VISX Excimer Laser procedure before most doctors even heard of it.

With 35 years perfecting his craft and recognition as one of just ten FDA trial sites nationwide, we don't follow trends—we set them. That straight shot down Grand or North Avenue becomes a small price for accessing technology and techniques that won't hit other practices for years.

Navigating to Our Downtown Chicago Location

You'll find us on the sixth floor at 25 E Washington Street, wedged between the rusty Daley Center and the greenspace of Millennium Park. Our building entrance sits right across from the Chicago Temple Building—hard to miss with all that limestone reaching skyward.

Best parking? The underground garage on Washington drops you practically at our door. If that fills up (lunch rush is notorious), try Dearborn Street or the Millennium Park Garage, though you'll walk a few extra blocks. Street meters work too if you're lucky, just remember they run until 9 PM downtown.

Driving Directions from Melrose Park

  • Start east on Grand Avenue from central Melrose Park, passing Winston Plaza and continuing 3.5 miles to Harlem
  • Keep straight through Oak Park on West Grand—Columbus Park shows up on your right around mile 2
  • Push through Austin crossing Central and Cicero (those cameras at Cicero aren't decoration)
  • Past Ashland in about 4 miles, catch I-290 East from the left ramp
  • Ride 290 for 5 miles through Medical District staying centered to avoid merge madness
  • Take Franklin/Washington exit bearing right toward Washington Boulevard
  • Right on Washington Boulevard for a third of a mile
  • Left at LaSalle then quick right onto Washington Street

We're at 25 E Washington on the right—13 miles total, 25-35 minutes with traffic

Alternative Transportation Options

  • Metra UP-West from Melrose Park Station drops you at Ogilvie—walk southeast 10 minutes or grab the 20 Madison bus
  • Blue Line from Forest Park to Clark/Lake works, then four blocks south on Clark
  • Pace 307 to Oak Park Transit, switch to Green Line for Clark/Lake

Overnight Accommodations and Dining

After LASIK, some west suburban patients skip the evening commute and stay downtown. Palmer House on Monroe—three blocks away—gets you to morning follow-up without hassle. Chicago Athletic Association on Michigan offers something fancier if that's your style.

Hungry? Italian Village on Monroe has dished up red sauce since 1927. Wildberry on Randolph loads you up pre-surgery. Between appointments, Xoco on Clark serves Bayless's Mexican fast-casual that beats hospital food any day.

Schedule Your Life-Changing Consultation Today

Ready to see clearly? Call 312-757-7335 tobook your consultation. Find us at 25 E Washington St, Suite 606, Chicago, IL60602.

Hours run Monday-Friday 8 AM to 5 PM,plus select Saturdays for busy schedules. Stop squinting at street signs—pickup the phone and let's fix your vision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't you cry after laser eye surgery?

Expand F.A.Q.

Actually, crying won't hurt anything after LASIK—this worry comes from old wives' tales passed around Melrose Park potlucks. Tears keep eyes moist, which helps healing.

The real danger? Rubbing your eyes when you cry, because that can mess up the corneal flap we create. Pack tissues for the ride home and dab gently, no rubbing. Plenty of patients shed happy tears when they read the clock without glasses for the first time in decades.

Am I awake during LASIK?

Expand F.A.Q.

You bet you're awake, but those numbing drops mean you won't feel anything beyond maybe light pressure.

The whole thing wraps up in 15 minutes for both eyes while Dr. Kraff explains what's happening. Our eye tracker follows your movements, so don't worry about keeping perfectly still. Honestly, patients say it's easier than getting their teeth cleaned, except here you walk out seeing better instead of tasting fluoride.

How long after LASIK can I see 20/20?

Expand F.A.Q.

You'll notice things looking sharper right away—maybe even read exit signs heading back to Melrose Park that afternoon. Next morning? Most folks can't believe they can see their alarm clock without reaching for glasses.

By your day-after checkup, you're usually good to drive yourself from Melrose Park. Full 20/20 (or better) typically happens within a week or two, though some need three months for everything to settle completely. Depends on your starting prescription and how fast you heal, but results last for years. (1) We track your progress with follow-ups to make sure you hit those targets.

Find us from Chicago Neighborhoods

Located in the heart of Chicago, IL, the Kraff Eye Institute is ideally situated to serve residents across the Chicagoland area. Our Chicago Neighborhoods institute is accessible from the following locations:

Schedule Consultation

You can simply CALL US or make an appointment using the online forms at the links below

312-444-1111Schedule Consultation
Schedule Consultation