opthamologist in northwest suburban chicago

I need a general opthamologist in the northwest suburbs of chicago, that someone could reccomend, I had a bad experience and would like a referral, from someone that is happy with their general opthamologist.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Go to www.aao.org  

JCH MD

[JodieJ]

I had cataract surgery in downtown Chicago with Dr. Bertram Kraft, who also has an office in Northwest suburban Buffalo Grove (847-541-3334).  He is an excellent surgeon and has a single-practioner general ophthalmology practice.  I think you would be happy with him if the distance from you isn't too far.  (The NW burbs cover a lot of area.)  

[casey59]

Thank you so much for the referral, I live in Algonquin, so Buffalo Grove is quite close, just down Lake Cook Rd.

[casey59]

I was wondering how you came to be referred to Dr. Charles, was it through your general opthamologist, I'm strongly considering going to see him.  

[JodieJ]

I had corresponded (online) with Dr. Charles (www charles-retina com) about what I might do to correct the problems I was having following my ERM peel in 2006.  Dr. Charles had recommended further surgery, so I consulted three of the reputedly "best" retinal surgeons in Chicago.  All of them strongly recommended against further surgery, and I gave up on the idea.  My problems had gotten worse by early 2009.  When I described my situation to another ophthalmologist, he recommended that I go to Memphis to see Dr. Charles.  (He had heard Dr. Charles speak at a conference and had been very impressed.)  I don't know why I hadn't thought of doing that before (misplaced loyalty to the local docs?)  I think that I called the number on Dr. Charles' website to set up my appointment the next day.  I even faxed the reports from the local surgeons who had strongly recommended against further surgery, and apparently Dr. Charles was not any more impressed with them than I was.

Dr. Charles lectures and performs retinal surgery all over the world.  His office is equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment.  You do not need a referral to set up an appointment with him.

Dr. Kraft (in Buffalo Grove) was my cataract surgeon.  Other ophthalmologists I've seen have expressed admiration for the accuracy of his IOL power calculations.  I never had even a minor problem after his surgery.  I used his referral source for my aftercare following my ERM peel with Dr. Charles.  (You do not have to return to Memphis for followup.)  

[casey59]

Thank you so very much for the info.  it is very helpful I am glad you had such an excellent outcome.I am going to see him when the weather gets a little warmer and easier to travel.  This ERM is really annoying, especially as I am having a problem with my other eye now.

I am surprised that none of the Chicago area retinal surgeons didn't refer you to him after you contined to have problems following your surgery here.

I wear gas permeable contacts (have for 40 years) I have myopia in left eye-2.50 and -1.50 in right eye with some astigmatism, so I will see Dr. Kraft after I see Dr. Charles.

Did your cataracts develop after your ERM peel?

Thank you so much

[casey59]

is strabismus associated with macular pucker

[JodieJ]

No, stabismus involves an imbalance of the eye muscles; a macular pucker is a retinal condition.

[casey59]

I am inquiring about strabismus that has been picked up by my optometrist.  I am 66 and have macular pucker in my left eye.  it has progressed to where I am going to have to have surgery to remove the pucker.  I am in very good health otherwise.  I have noticed eye strain for at least a year or more but attributed it to the pucker.  My question is could the loss of vision in my eye with the pucker, have caused the strabismus in that same eye due to the decreased vision in that eye?

[JodieJ]

You will need to post your question as a new thread in order to receive a response from Dr. Hagan.  There is evidence in the medical literature that an image size difference between the eyes caused by a macular pucker can result in small-angle strabismus. (Benegas NM et al, Diplopia secondary to aniseikonia associated with macular disease, Arch Ophthalmol. 1999.)  If this is the case with you, do NOT delay your surgery to peel the pucker.  You would be risking irreversible macular damage by delaying your surgery.

[casey59]

thank you for the info, much appreciated,