Millennium Park Eye Center

Great service, everyone is friendly, great doc. worth the visit.

Dr. de la Cruz just performed my Lasik surgery yesterday, and I have to say that – as strange as it sounds – it was a great experience. Dr de la Cruz had discussed everything with me in previous appointments – no hard sell, no pressure. He took time with me and answered all of my questions – and I had A LOT of them. I was really impressed with his expertise, and his talent for explaining everything in a way that someone without a medical degree could understand. He also has an excellent bedside manner, which is incredibly important when you have someone pointing lasers at your eyeballs.
His staff – I worked with Jamian the most – was fantastic! Knowledgeable and caring. Overall, great experience and I recommend them highly.

I Had Lasik done here two weeks ago, no pressure, no hard sell, no coupons or gimmicks, they are very thorough and informative and the pricing is competitive for the experienced staff and nice facilities. Dr Azar is detail oriented and patient, answered all of my questions and assured me that he personally does all of his procedures. The Lasik procedure was easier than expected, weird but not painful, and vision was perfect by morning. Many of the staff members have had the procedure and are very calming and open to answer questions about their experiences. I am very happy I chose Millennium Park Eye Center and Dr Azar for my procedure and would recommend that anyone interested in corrective surgery see him for a consult.

I came here for a routine eye exam and to check on some eye discomfort (dry eyes). My vision was slightly blurry with my current glasses and I had frequent headaches. I had a completely thorough eye exam performed by Dr. McMahon. The technicians were all wonderful as they are very courteous, respectful, and thorough. After careful examination of my eyes and eye glasses, they found that my eye glasses prescription was slightly too high in one eye which was the cause of the discomfort and dizziness I was experiencing! I am so comfortable now with my current prescription and grateful to their careful examination! Dr. Aref is also great and highly recommended if you have a cataract or glaucoma!!!

I have been a patient here, but my Dr is no longer with this practice. I scheduled an exam after a couple of years with a different Dr. I had a rather bad experience. I was scheduled for 1:30pm and by 3:00pm, I had still not been examined and had my pupils dilated.
Aside from that, it just was not as personable and pleasant an experience as it used to be. It felt like these guys commercialized big time and ‘sold out’ so to write. The ambiance and general atmosphere has suffered due to that.
I believe the doctors need to treat their patients with respect. Sure, you’re a big shot in your own office, but I am a big shot in mine. When you make an appointment with me, and come to see me, I would make sure I see you promptly and courteously, or you will take your business elsewhere. Right Dr? Well, I am taking my business elsewhere as well. I don’t need to be treated the way that I was.
The tragedy is that they would likely bill me for services I never received. That is what is wrong with the medical profession and how it is stacked up against the consumer. You go in, they give you pathetic service, and they charge you nonetheless. The consumer has no protection. I wish we lived in a society where I did not have to pay to an incompetent doctor until and unless I was satisfied. I know that in many other professions, that is the norm, that the client does not pay until satisfied.
Pathetic experience.

I did not try this practice. I just called to schedule an appointment for a general eye exam. And since I had an eye surgery before at another place there policy says I have to pay 1000 dollars. Are you kidding me!!! What the hell were they thinking about when they made this policy.

I received custom LASIK in the summer of 2006 from Dr. Azar. My results were better than I expected (²⁰⁄₁₅ in both eyes) and 5 years later, I have no problems.
Everyone I had contact with was great: Dr. Azar is an expert in the field and when you have a consultation with him, you realize he’s legitimately enthusiastic about it. He’s very forward about it being an *elective* surgery and telling you about possible risks, so you never feel like this is some eyeball-​chop-​shop where every person who comes in is a «perfect candidate» as long as they’ve got some money. Jamian, the primary contact for patients who sets everything up, was always very helpful.
Definitely recommended.

Just got off the phone with them trying to get some more information about Lasik and was immediately put on hold without even being greeted. When the receptionist did pick up after about two minutes (nothing major here), she said, «Hello?» Hello? Seriously?! I had to ask her if I was calling the right place!
After establishing that I was indeed calling the correct business, I asked about getting some information on Lasik. She very unenthusiastically and in a «you’re totally bothering me and wasting my time» kind of voice, informed me that the procedure would cost $ 2,720/eye and asked if I wanted to have both eyes done. No, just one thanks! Idiot! Total for both would be $ 5440 plus a $ 100 fee for a consultation which would be credited to the total amount if I chose to do the surgery. She then failed to not ask me if I had any other questions or even if I wanted to schedule a consultation. FYI: Kraff Eye Institute quoted me at $ 5200 and even though their customer service sucks too, they at least were slightly more pleasant on the phone.
Word to the wise: If you have a receptionist that doesn’t give a crap, then I’m not going to give you my business. Your receptionist is the first point of contact for any patient; new or old. Try finding someone who has a little more enthusiasm for their job and maybe you’ll have a little better success. I see that this receptionist has been an issue in other reviews so do yourself a favor and fire this girl before she takes your practice down into the hole she lives in.

I got my first eye exam in maybe 20 years because my distance vision is going and I wanted to get glasses. I repeatedly asked the doctor to give me my pupillary distance on the scrip so I could order glasses online. He kept telling me that it didn’t matter (?) and wrote something unintelligible on the scrip that clearly wasn’t the pupillary distance. I didn’t figure this out til I got home because my eyes were so dialated that I couldn’t see much for a few hours. Anyway, there have been at least five phone calls back and forth where I’ve tried to get this number which I should have been given in the first place… Half the time they say they’ll call me back, and don’t. Not happy.

Called to set up an initial appointment around 1:30 pm on a Thursday. After I said what I wanted, I was put on hold for (literally) 5 minutes, until I finally hung up.
Yougottabekiddingme!

Dr. Azar is definitely the best. I had Lasik surgery in January of last year and boy am I excited. I went for my 1 year post ops checkup and I still have ²⁰⁄₂₀ vision. The procedure was quick and Dr. Azar kept me informed with everything he was doing. The next morning for my 24 hour evaluation I had ²⁰⁄₂₅. Can you say MIRACLE!!!
Now I am more fabulous than ever (conceited right)!!! I recommend him to everyone that asks me about having the surgery done.
Thanks Dr. Azar

As a longtime keratoconus patient, I have tried every contact lens made and every prescription available for my glasses. Finally, I got to the point where I could not tolerate my Synergeyes contacts or see legally with my glasses. My optometrist in Naperville, IL, Dr. Bradley Kampschroeder, recommended that I consult with Dr. Dimitri Azar, who is a renowned keratoconus expert and surgeon at the University of Illinois in Chicago.
I underwent a lamellar keratoplasty surgery two months ago at the UIC Hospital. Dr. Dimitri Azar and Dr. Saba Elderkin performed the surgery. I am writing this review to share my complete satisfaction and gratitude toward these two incredible surgeons. Without any hesitation, I highly recommend both doctors. I do not know much about Dr. Elderkin’s medical training, as I believe she is currently training with Dr. Azar, but she is kind, knowledgeable, and incredibly gifted.
Dr. Azar has one of the most impressive medical backgrounds I have ever read… he was a resident and fellow at Harvard and later moved on to John Hopkins. He was a professor at Harvard, and he still teaches and chairs the Ophthalmology Department at UIC. He has authored numerous textbooks and continues to engage in medical research in his area of expertise. I have observed his distinctive teaching style in surgery and in his office as he challenges and encourages his students, who are training under his supervision. He shows the same kindness, patience, and compassion with his patients as well.
Many people who know that I had this cornea transplant surgery will ask how I am doing, and I always respond with, «I am living a miracle.» I am truly grateful to the donor who gave me this incredible gift and to these gifted surgeons who were able to perform such an incredible surgery.

Dr. Dimitri Azar performed my LASIK surgery and gave me perfect vision. I can honestly say it was the best money I have ever spent. If you read my other reviews on Unilocal,you will see that I am very stingy with my ratings, as well as very critical. But with Dr. Azar and his staff, I have nothing but praise and gratitude. I came in legally blind and I am still ²⁰⁄₂₀ a year later.
Although I was terrified of trusting someone with my eyes and becoming completely blind, I felt confident proceeding with Dr. Azar for several reasons:
First, I was referred to Dr. Azar by my uncle, who is an eye surgeon (vitrioretinal) located out-​of-​state. He contacted his colleagues, other well-​known and respected eye surgeons, in Chicago and they were unanimous in recommending Dr. Azar. They were all familiar with his work because they either trained with Dr. Azar or they supervised Dr. Azar during his training. I always rely on referrals from other physicians when I go to a new doctor because they are familiar with one another’s work, training, skill (or lack of), bedside manner, etc.
Second, Dr. Azar’s training is impressive. It’s hard to become a doctor period, but it is very competitive to get into the programs that Dr. Azar has completed. Not only was he a resident and fellow at Harvard, but later he went on to Johns Hopkins. I also liked that he was a professor at Harvard, and he still teaches, engages in scientific research, and chairs the ophthalmology department at UIC. I look for doctors that are actively engaged in the study of medicine because I want someone who is knowledgeable about new technology, medical breakthroughs, and long-​term effects.
Third, Dr. Azar is conservative and thorough in his treatment. Despite Dr. Azar’s glowing recommendations, I consulted with other LASIK doctors for comparison. Although other doctors offer free initial exams and consultations, they rushed, performed few tests, and cleared me for surgery without really looking at me. Dr. Azar’s initial exam is $ 100, but it is three hours long and you have to undergo more tests the day of surgery. I did not want to have the surgery unless I was a really good candidate for it.
Fourth, Dr. Azar has a good bedside manner and his staff is very nice. LASIK is a little scary because you are awake and alert during the procedure, but Dr. Azar was very calming and comforting. Also, his staff was great. Jamien in particular was very kind, informative, and patient. He answered all of my questions and did not make me feel rushed in my decision to proceed with surgery. This was in contrast to another doctor’s office who treated me like, «Hurry up, give me my money, and get out.»
I have referred three people to Dr. Azar and I highly recommend him to everyone.

Dr Azar performed my LASIK surgery in May 2010. I had the best experience I have EVER had in ANY doctors office to date. Usually I feel like the doctor has their hand on the doorknob and if you want to ask a question you are bothering them or taking up too much of their time. Not with this office. I felt like I was the ONLY patient they were seeing at the time. Every single person that I came in contact with was amazingly nice and accommodating to me and my every need. I came from Michigan to Dr Azar because I had heard he was the best and I can see why. He and his staff very carefully helped me decide which surgery to get (I opted for mono-​vision, which I love as it gives me many options for seeing in my various active life situations). I always felt like he took his time with me and that he and everyone involved truly cared about me and my surgery. On top of that I ended up with a perfect surgery and got ²⁰⁄₁₅ vision from it. I have had to wear glasses since age 6 and had extremely poor site my entire life. Now every morning when I wake up and can see I am reminded of this doctor’s office and how great they are. I wish everyone could have the chance to have this experience. I have referred a friend who already has also gotten LASIK surgery here and I will continue to refer anyone who asks me to Dr Azar and the Millenium Park Eye Center. Ronnie Frey

Today I’m 1 year post-​op, and my eyes are still perfect. Thank you, Dr. Azar!

This place gave me back my eyes after chronic video game and television-​viewing took them from me at an early age.
$ 2,200
That’s what it cost me to get rid of my glasses and contacts for ²⁰⁄₁₅ vision, near perfect.
Best decision I ever made, and this place was everything I hoped for. The office is located near Milennium Park and is conveniently located next to CTA buses and trainstops. The doctor had a degree from Harvard (impressive) and that definitely made me feel confident in receiving treatment from him.
They did a comprehesive consultation for $ 100, which is credited back if I decided to proceed with the surgery which I did. It included topography testing and cornea density tests.
The procedure for me was done in a couple hours. The longest parts were the re-​screening of my eyes to ensure they had the right information. Then they gave me a light sedative to make me feel completely relaxed before going into the procedure.
The procedure was very simple and fast, they clamp your eyes open and if you get «custom» lasik, you don’t have to worry about moving your line of sight during the procedure as the laser «follows» your eye movements as it applies the laSER. cool stuff
this place also includes all the after treatment followups. Really good end to end process and overall care and quality. I always recommend this place to my friends.