Christine Funke, MD

Clinical Expertise

Dr. Christine Funke, M.D., is a board-certified ophthalmologist and fellowship-trained glaucoma specialist. She provides comprehensive care for a range of eye conditions, including glaucoma, visually significant cataracts, diabetes-related eye disease, dry eye, and routine eye care. Dr. Funke specializes in advanced surgical techniques such as minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS), trabeculotomies, tube shunt implants, glaucoma laser procedures, complex cataract surgeries, and combined cataract/glaucoma surgeries. Her clinical philosophy centers on building long-term relationships with patients while managing lifelong diseases like glaucoma.

Education and Medical Training

Originally from the western suburbs of Chicago, Dr. Funke earned her undergraduate degree in biology from the University of Notre Dame. She went on to receive her medical degree from Rush Medical College, followed by residency training at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. During her time at Case Western, she co-founded the University Eye Hospitals Alumni Association and served as the Women in Ophthalmology Society representative to the Mid-Year Forum. She completed her glaucoma fellowship at the prestigious University of Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, where she focused on managing advanced and complex glaucoma cases.

Accolades

Throughout her academic and professional journey, Dr. Funke has been actively involved in research and scholarly contributions. She has presented at numerous conferences and authored a chapter on alternative therapies for glaucoma treatment. Her interests include the impact of exercise and herbal therapy on intraocular pressure and vision health. Dr. Funke is an active member of several professional organizations, including the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Glaucoma Society, Women in Ophthalmology, Chicago Women in Ophthalmology, and the Chicago Glaucoma Society.

“I gravitated towards the subspecialty of glaucoma because it is a challenging disease that needs lifelong monitoring. This gives me the opportunity to create relationships with my patients as I care for their disease.”

Curriculum Vitae