Chicago LASIK Surgeon | Dr. Colman Kraff

Meet Dr. Colman Kraff

Committed to advancing new technologies in the field of ophthalmology, Dr. Colman Kraff helped to pioneer laser vision correction. In February of 1991, as part of a five-site, U.S., FDA clinical trial team, Dr. Kraff successfully performed the first excimer laser procedures in the Chicagoland area using the VISX Excimer Laser.

Since that time, Dr. Kraff and the Kraff Eye Institute have devoted their practice to specializing in laser vision correction. The Kraff Eye Institute has been and continues to be the lead U.S. investigative site for all VISX LASIK FDA clinical trials.

Dr. Colman Kraff also performed:

The first laser vision correction procedure in Chicago on a VISX Laser post FDA approval.*
The first wavefront guided treatment in the United States on a VISX laser*
The first farsighted procedure in the United States on a VISX Laser*
The first iDesign treatment in the United States on a VISX laser*

In a world where technology is constantly changing, there has been 1 consistent force behind the advancement of LASER eye surgery. That force is Dr. Kraff.

*: To the best of our knowledge, these are accurate statements regarding treatments that Dr. Colman Kraff performed. We based this on the FDA clinical trials that Dr. Kraff was involved in, in the early 1990s and throughout the 2000s. We also based this on the timeline of patient enrollment in these studies as well as the time of FDA approvals. The Kraff Eye Institute was the only VISX clinical site in the Chicagoland area from February 1991 through through the mid 2000s. These FDA clinical trials were some of the earliest trials that the VISX Excimer laser system was used for. All the clinical trials that Dr. Kraff participated in are listed in his curriculum vitae.

"Ultimately the LASIK procedure gives our patients more freedom within their lifestyle."

— Dr. Colman Kraff

Dr. Kraff actively lectures and teaches doctors throughout the world and is one of three primary physician excimer laser trainers in the United States.

Dr. Kraff also has a teaching appointment at Northwestern University Medical School and is an attending physician at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. His personal time is spent with his family and enjoying distance running and skiing.

Clinical Trials Conducted

Principal Investigator Clinical Investigation of the Presbyia Flexivue Microlens for the Improvement of Near Vision in Emmetropic Presbyopes. May 2015 to completion
Principal Investigator Prospective evaluation of Wavefront guided Lasik with advanced iDesign Studio Excimer laser system for Mixed Astigmatism refractive errors. December 2012 to completion
Principal Investigator Prospective evaluation of Wavefront guided Lasik with advanced iDesign Studio Excimer laser system for Hyperopic refractive errors. December 2012 to completion
Principal Investigator Prospective evaluation of Wavefront guided LASIK with advanced iDesign Studio Excimer laser system for Myopic refractive errors. August 2012 to completion
Principal Investigator Angle –Supported Phakic Refractive IOL, Nov. 2011 to completion. Alcon Research, Ltd
Principal Investigator AcuFocus Corneal Inlay for Presbyopia. Multicenter FDA clinical tiral. October 2009 to completion.
Principal Investigator Alcon Phakic Anterior Chamber IOL. Multiple center FDA clinical trial. June 2006 to completion.
Principal Investigator Visx Star S4 VSS Wavefront Guided Treatment of Presbyopia, Single US site FDA Clinical Trial, Fall 2004 to completion.
Principal Investigator Visx Star S4 VSS Wavefront Guided treatment for Monovision/Myopia FDA clinical trial, summer 2004 to completion.
Principal Investigstor Visx Star S4 VSS Wavefront Guided treatment of Hyperopia and Mixed Astigmatism FDA Clinical Trial, Fall 2003 to completion.
Principal Investigator Visx Star S3 / S4 Wavefront Guided
Treatments for Myopic Astigmatism FDA Clinical Trial, April 2001 to completion
Principal Investigator Visx Star S2 LASIK Mixed Astigmatism FDA Clinical Trial, June 2000 to completion
Principal Investigator Visx Star S2 LASIK Hyperopic Astigmatism FDA Clinical Trial, July 1999 to completion
Principal Investigator Visx Star PRK Hyperopic Astigmatism FDA Clinical Trial, June 1998 to completion
Principal Investigator Visx Star PRK Hyperopia Trial
February 1997 to completion
Co-Investigator Visx 20/20 Excimer Laser
Phototherapeutic Keratectomy FDA Phase III Trial
Photorefractive Keratectomy FDA Phase III Trial
February 1991 to completion
Co-Investigator Novatec Light Blade
Photorefractive Refractive Keratectomy
Correction of Myopia Phase IIA
June 1995
Co-Investigator Sunrise Technology
Thermal Keratoplasty for Refractive Procedures
Correction of Hyperopia Phase II-b Study
December 1996
Co-Investigator Autonomous Technology
Correction of Myopia, Astigmatism, and Hyperopia
July 1996

FAQ

Have you lectured or done any writing regarding LASER eye surgery?

Dr. Colman Kraff is a pioneer in LASER Vision Correction surgery, also known as Refractive surgery, and has had many articles published and has been asked to speak all over the world on Refractive surgeries.

Have you participated in research studies?

Dr. Colman Kraff has participated in dozens of FDA studies. For additional information, please, look at the clinical trials conducted by Dr. Kraff on the doctor's page of our website.

How long have you been performing a laser vision correction surgery?

Dr. Colman Kraff is a pioneer in the field of laser vision correction. He has been doing laser vision correction in Chicago since 1991, when he was selected as one of the ten investigational sites in the original FDA clinical trials that found laser vision correction as a safe and effective treatment for eligible patients. Dr. Kraff offers the kind of knowledge and experience that you can trust with your eyes. He continues to pioneer and participate in the FDA clinical trials of new laser vision technology.

How many procedures have you performed in your Chicago LASIK offices?

Dr. Colman Kraff has performed over 70,000 laser procedures with the state-of-the-art VISX laser since 1991, making him the most experienced doctor in the Midwest. Dr. Kraff continues to operate with the highest levels of precision, safety, and patient satisfaction.

Dr. Colman Kraff