Our Doctors

Jonathan Buka, MD

General Ophthalmology, Glaucoma, Cataracts, and Refractive Surgery.

Dr. Jonathan Buka did a residency in ophthalmology at the University of Chicago/Michael Reese Hospital. He studied advanced training in refractive surgery with a leading world expert, Dr. Charles Casebeer. Previous to that, he did an internship in general medicine at Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio, after attending medical school at the University of Cincinnati. He did his undergraduate training at Tulane University in New Orleans, La. Dr. Buka specializes in cataract surgery, LASIK and following patients with diabetes and glaucoma.

Dr. Buka is board certified by the American Academy of Ophthalmology. He is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the International Society of Refractive Surgeons. He is currently on staff at Christ Hospital, Hinsdale Hospital, Hinsdale Surgical Center, Tinley Woods Surgery Center and Munster IN Community Hospital.

Dr. Buka is married with four children ranging from 8 years to 21 years. He enjoys spending time with his family and all their activities: football, tennis, soccer and cheerleading. He likes the outdoors, camping, skiing and riding horses. He also enjoys watching the Chicago Cubs, White Sox, Bears and Cincinnati Bengals.

Alexander Khammar, MD

Dr. Alexander Khammar grew up in New Jersey and earned his bachelor's degree in French and Biology at Rutgers University in 1992. He graduated from The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in 1996. After an internship in Internal Medicine, he completed his residency in Ophthalmology at the Doheny Eye Institute of The University of Southern California in Los Angeles in 2000. Dr. Khammar then pursued fellowship training in Pediatric Ophthalmology and Adult Strabismus at The University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver. Prior to arriving in Illinois, Dr. Khammar was an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at The University of Colorado Health Sciences Center / Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Insititute, and he is the current Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology at Advocate Christ Medical Center.

Benjamin Ticho, MD

Dr. Benjamin Ticho earned his B.S. degree in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Michigan in 1985. Two years later, he earned his M.D. cum laude e. causa in a combined premedical/medical program. He completed his ophthalmology residency at the University of Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary and a pediatric ophthalmology and adult strabismus fellowship at the Children's Memorial Hospital and Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Dr. Ticho is board certified (and re-certified) by the American Board of Ophthalmology and has received the award for Top Doctors: Chicago Metro Area from Castle Connolly Medical Ltd. for over six consecutive years.  He is Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Illinois Eye & Ear Infirmary - and was recently appointed to its Executive Committee of the Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group, a collaborative network of physicians who participate in clinical research in strabismus, amblyopia and other eye disorders that affect children - and at Children's Memorial Hospital.

Dr. Ticho has particular expertise in cataract surgery, treatment of strabismus (ocular misalignment) and amblyopia (lazy eye), ptosis (drooping eyelid), tear duct surgery, retinopathy of prematurity, genetic and hereditary eye disease, as well as correction of age-related aesthetic facial changes. "I try to make sure that each patient and parent understands treatment options to help make comfortable decisions," Ticho says.  "There is so much information out there -- some of it misleading -- so it's important to feel like your doctor has both the needed experience and a patient-first attitude to provide appropriate guidance."

Congratulations are in order for Dr. Ticho, who successfully completed his second board recertification process, including CME, chart review and written examination.

See Dr. Ticho on RealSelf.

Karl Ticho, MD

Dr. Karl Ticho has been practicing on Chicago's Southwest side for over 5 decades. After emigrating from Czechoslovakia, he completed his ophthalmology training at the University of Illinois Eye & Ear Infirmary, Cook County, and Michael Reese Hospitals. He was one of the founding physicians when Christ Community Hospital opened in 1961, and was one of the first Illinois ophthalmologists to use intraocular lens implantation as part of cataract surgery. While he no longer performs surgery, Dr. Ticho continues to care for patients in our Chicago Ridge clinic, where he works alongside his son, Benjamin.

E. Michael Cassidy, MD

Dr. E. Michael Cassidy sees patients at our Orland Park office every Thursday, and some Saturdays in Chicago Ridge. 

Sheila Shifrin, DO

Dr. Sheila Shifrin is a Board-Certified Ophthalmologist specializing in Oculoplastic/Orbital Surgery and Neuro-Ophthalmology.  She completed her fellowship training at St. John Macomb Hospital in Warren, MI.  She was the chief resident at the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine where she completed her medical and ophthalmology training.  Dr. Shifrin received her M.S. in Physiology from Georgetown University, and her B.S. in Anthropology and Human Biology from Emory University.  Dr. Shifrin specializes in eyelid disorders related to the aging process as well as congenital eyelid abnormalities.  She focuses on dry eye disease and the tearing patient.  Dr. Shifrin also has a keen interest in aesthetic surgery.  She focuses on injectables, lasers, eyelid, eyebrow and mid-face rejuvenation including eye lifts, brow lifts and fat injection.

Megan Allen, OD

Dr. Megan Allen practices at our Orland Park location most Mondays, and at the Chicago Ridge clinic most Fridays.

Dr. Allen is a recent graduate of the Illinois College of Optometry and is currently completing a residency in Pediatrics and Binocular Vision at the same institution.

Dr. Allen graduated from Indiana University, Bloomington campus, in 2003 with a degree in Biology as well as a concentration in Spanish.

She is an active member in the College of Optometrists in Vision Development as well as an active member of Volunteers of Optometric Service to Humanity. She was involved in a mission trip to Honduras in 2006, and also enjoys participating in the vision screenings associated with the Special Olympics.

Thomas O'Brien, OD

Dr. Thomas O'Brien practices at our Chicago Ridge clinic on most Tuesdays.

Dr. O'Brien is a graduate of Indiana University School of Optometry, and has a Masters degree in School Psychology from Ball State University in Muncie IN.

He has been in practice since 1982, and is a clinical examiner for the National Board of Examiners in Optometry. He is a member of the Technical Review Board of the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation.