Kraff Eye Institute
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1991
- HeadquartersChicago, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Kraff Eye Institute does
Kraff Eye Institute (KEI) is a single-location ophthalmology and laser vision correction practice based in downtown Chicago, founded and led by Dr. Colman R. Kraff, who has personally conducted more than 70,000 laser procedures since 1991. The practice's core offering centers on refractive surgery, including LASIK and Custom PRK performed with the FDA-approved VISX Excimer Laser and iDesign 2.0 wavefront-guided software, supplemented by Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL), Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE), Corneal Cross-Linking, intraocular lens implants (including Light Adjustable Lens), cataract and glaucoma surgery, LipiFlow for dry eye, and management of conditions such as keratoconus, diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachment, and Graves' eye disease. KEI was the first practice in Chicagoland to perform the VISX Excimer Laser procedure and is one of only ten U.S. eye care centers participating in FDA clinical trials for new laser vision technology.
The business operates on a self-pay, fee-for-service model. Refractive procedures are elective and not typically covered by insurance, with publicly disclosed PRK pricing of $1,800-$2,800 per eye or $3,600-$5,600 for both eyes; LASIK pricing is published on a dedicated page. Financing is offered through CareCredit, and patients can use FSA/HSA funds. Consultations are provided free of charge with no obligation, supporting a direct-to-consumer sales motion that combines website/SEO lead capture, paid and organic social media (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Yelp), self-service candidacy tools (LASIK self-test, savings calculator), and a regional Out-of-Town Patients program.
Customer relationships are overwhelmingly retail/consumer, with patients drawn from Chicago, surrounding suburbs, and out-of-town markets seeking refractive correction or treatment for specific eye conditions. Dr. Kraff also maintains an institutional affiliation as an attending physician at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. The practice's website and digital operations are managed by TeamVision LLC, a subsidiary of Luxottica of America Inc., although the ownership boundary between the medical practice and the Luxottica corporate entity is not explicitly clarified in the available materials.
Kraff Eye Institute firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Kraff Eye Institute
- Legal name
- Kraff Eye Institute
- Website
- https://kraffeye.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1991
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Kraff Eye Institute industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Ophthalmology and Laser Vision Correction Services
- NAICS
- Offices of Optometrists (62132), Offices of Optometrists (621320)
- SIC
- Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Cornea, External Disease & Refractive Surgery (LASIK/PRK) (HLAKAKAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Comprehensive Eye Exams & Vision Care (HLAKAKAA), Cataract Surgery Systems & IOLs (Phaco Systems, IOLs, Intraoperative Aberrometry, Viscoelastics) (HLAHAJAH), Glaucoma Diagnostics & Surgical Devices (Tonometry, Gonioscopy, MIGS, Drainage Implants, Laser Trabeculoplasty) (HLAHAJAI), Retina & Vitreous Specialists (HLAKAKAE), Refractive Surgery Systems (Excimer/Femtosecond Lasers, Phakic IOL Systems, Wavefront/Guidance) (HLAHAJAG)
Keywords
Where Kraff Eye Institute is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chicago
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Kraff Eye Institute business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Refractive Surgery Procedures: One-time surgical procedures including LASIK, PRK, ICL implants, and Refractive Lens Exchange. Revenue generated per procedure with pricing varying by complexity.
- Eye Exams and Consultations: Comprehensive eye examinations and consultation services for diagnosis and treatment planning
- Treatment of Eye Conditions: Medical treatments for various eye conditions including cataracts, glaucoma, keratoconus, dry eye, and retinal conditions
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Custom Wavefront PRK for both eyes |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Custom Wavefront PRK per eye |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | LASIK Procedure |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | PRK Procedure |
| Other | Monthly | Financing Options |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels10 records
Kraff Eye Institute product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Kraff Eye Institute is a Chicago-based ophthalmology practice that performs refractive surgical procedures such as LASIK, Custom PRK, ICL implants, and Refractive Lens Exchange to reduce patients' dependence on glasses and contact lenses. The institute also diagnoses and treats eye diseases including cataracts, glaucoma, keratoconus, dry eye, diabetic retinopathy, and retinal detachment, supported by comprehensive eye exams and Lipiflow dry eye therapy. Core clinical technology includes iDesign 2.0 wavefront-guided software paired with the FDA-approved VISX Excimer Laser, with the founder serving as one of only ten U.S. clinical investigators for new laser vision technology.
Product overview
Kraff Eye Institute is a single-location, full-service ophthalmology and laser vision correction center in Chicago offering a comprehensive portfolio of eye care services. The core offering centers on refractive surgical procedures including LASIK and Custom PRK (photorefractive keratectomy), both utilizing iDesign 2.0 wavefront-guided technology for personalized vision correction. Additional surgical offerings include Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL), Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE), Corneal Cross-Linking, intraocular lens implants, and the Light Adjustable Lens. The institute also provides a broad range of eye disease treatments including cataract surgery, glaucoma management, dry eye syndrome treatment (with Lipiflow), and management of conditions such as keratoconus, diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachment, Graves' eye disease, corneal diseases, meibomian gland dysfunction, amblyopia, and aphakia. Supporting services include comprehensive eye exams, a patient portal for account and billing management, and financing options through CareCredit. The practice is led by Dr. Colman Kraff, who has performed over 70,000 laser procedures since 1991.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- LASIK (Laser-Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis)
Quantifiable outcome
- 70,000+ laser procedures performed since 1991
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Kraff Eye Institute
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Kraff Eye Institute technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature4 records
Kraff Eye Institute partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- Northwestern Memorial HospitalcoreDr. Kraff serves as an attending physician at Northwestern Medical Hospital, providing affiliation with major medical institution in Chicago.
- TeamVision LLC (Luxottica subsidiary)coreWebsite management and operational support company. TeamVision LLC is a subsidiary of Luxottica of America Inc., managing the Kraff Eye Institute website and business operations.
- U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationflagshipOne of only ten eye care centers in the U.S. participating in FDA's clinical trials for new laser vision technology, giving early access to cutting-edge procedures.
- Optical Express EuropeminorDr. Kraff serves as International Medical Advisor for Optical Express Europe (Europe's #1 Laser Eye Surgery Provider), advising on their procedures and standards.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Kraff Eye Institute competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- LasikPlus: One of the largest U.S. LASIK-focused chains with multiple locations; competes directly with KEI for elective refractive surgery patients in major metros, including Chicago.
- TLC Laser Eye Centers: National LASIK and refractive surgery provider offering LASIK, PRK, and lens-based procedures; directly comparable in service mix and cash-pay elective model.
- LASIK Vision Institute: High-volume national LASIK chain focused on affordable elective procedures; competes for the same price-sensitive cash-pay refractive patients as KEI.
Regional players
- Mann Eye Institute: Multi-location ophthalmology and LASIK practice in Texas with a similar surgeon-led model, full refractive suite, and complementary cataract/cornea services; relevant for peer benchmarking outside Chicago.
- Dello Russo Laser Vision: Long-established Northeastern refractive surgery practice led by a single founding surgeon; analogous to KEI's premium surgeon-brand positioning in its regional market.
- Maloney Vision Institute: Single-specialty LASIK and refractive surgery center in Los Angeles led by a prominent surgeon; comparable in clinical depth, technology focus, and premium-brand positioning.
- Assil Eye Institute: Multi-specialty ophthalmology practice in Los Angeles offering LASIK, cataract, and corneal procedures; comparable full-stack eye-care positioning to KEI.
- Woolfson Eye Institute: Southeast U.S. refractive and cataract surgery practice with a surgeon-led premium model; useful comp for KEI's premium positioning outside its core metro.
Broad incumbents
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute: Top-ranked academic ophthalmology center offering comprehensive refractive and disease care; broader incumbent setting the clinical credibility benchmark that KEI's FDA trial participation aims to match.
- Wills Eye Hospital: Major specialty ophthalmology hospital providing full-service refractive, cataract, glaucoma, and retinal care; a broad incumbent benchmark for KEI's breadth of disease treatments.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Kraff Eye Institute social profiles
Digital presenceKraff Eye Institute financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Kraff Eye Institute leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Kraff Eye Institute funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Kraff Eye Institute M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Kraff Eye Institute
What does Kraff Eye Institute do?
Kraff Eye Institute is a Chicago-based ophthalmology practice that performs refractive surgical procedures such as LASIK, Custom PRK, ICL implants, and Refractive Lens Exchange to reduce patients' dependence on glasses and contact lenses. The institute also diagnoses and treats eye diseases including cataracts, glaucoma, keratoconus, dry eye, diabetic retinopathy, and retinal detachment, supported by comprehensive eye exams and Lipiflow dry eye therapy. Core clinical technology includes iDesign 2.0 wavefront-guided software paired with the FDA-approved VISX Excimer Laser, with the founder serving as one of only ten U.S. clinical investigators for new laser vision technology.
Is Kraff Eye Institute a public or private company?
Kraff Eye Institute is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Kraff Eye Institute founded?
Kraff Eye Institute was founded in 1991. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Kraff Eye Institute based?
Kraff Eye Institute is headquartered in Chicago, United States, in the North America region.
How does Kraff Eye Institute make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Refractive Surgery Procedures are the primary driver. The others are eye Exams and Consultations and treatment of Eye Conditions.
Who are Kraff Eye Institute's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are LasikPlus, TLC Laser Eye Centers and LASIK Vision Institute. Regional players are Mann Eye Institute, Dello Russo Laser Vision, Maloney Vision Institute, Assil Eye Institute and Woolfson Eye Institute. Broad incumbents are Bascom Palmer Eye Institute and Wills Eye Hospital.
Does Kraff Eye Institute have an API?
No public API is recorded for Kraff Eye Institute.
What industry is Kraff Eye Institute in?
Kraff Eye Institute's product category is Ophthalmology and Laser Vision Correction Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAKAKAF, Cornea, External Disease & Refractive Surgery (LASIK/PRK), with a secondary code of HLAKAKAA, Comprehensive Eye Exams & Vision Care. Its NAICS code is 62132 and its SIC code is 3841.