Reviews of Chang David F MD (Ophthalmologist)

Robert Panush

My wife and I have worked as professionals in hospitals for 25 years and have observed the bedside manner of a great many doctors with their patients. We both agreed that Dr. Chang’s bedside manner on July 28, 2017 was the worst we have ever seen. My ophthalmologist in Fairfield, CA told me in March 2017 that I had mild-moderate cataract in both eyes. When I asked her about surgical options, she told me that my eyes were a more complex case because one eye does fairly well for distance and the other for near vision. When I asked her several questions, she suggested I consult with one of her former professors at UC San Francisco, a leading authority on cataract surgery, Dr. David Chang. So I made an appointment and we drove 80 miles and paid $375 dollars out of pocket (he is not in my insurance network). My eyes were tested by his staff and then my wife and I (she accompanied me) met with Dr. Chang. He did provide much general information: different zones of vision; that he can choose from 60 degrees of replacement lenses; that he works on the eye with the farthest zone first; that he felt I had an “early” cataract; that a single focus lens is the best option for someone sensitive to change; that cataract surgery is not exact but that he is better than other surgeons at hitting the target. The problem was that he never let me explain why I was seeking a second opinion and, from the moment he walked into the room, every time I attempted to tell him why I came to see him or had a question, he responded, “let me talk” and did so with obvious anger and annoyance. At the end of the approximately 15 minute session (during which several times he said: “it’s going to take me more time, but let me tell you again”), he said, “I’ve tried my best” and got up signaling that the meeting was over. Just prior to meeting Dr. Chang, his staff gave me a book he co-wrote, “Cataracts: A Patient’s Guide to Treatment.” On page 49 of that book, it says: “When you meet with the surgeon, it is important that he or she makes you feel comfortable. You should be able to ask questions...” I fully agree with this statement. And that is why I would never choose Dr. Chang to be my surgeon.

Joanne Tenenbaum

My primary physician, whose judgment I trust, recommended Dr. Chang for my cataract surgery. I learned at my first appointment that the astigmatism in my left eye could be corrected during the surgery but that I would have to pay for the $1500 refinement because health insurance does not cover it. Dr. Chang gave me a booklet he had written for his patients that explained the upcoming surgery clearly. He was also careful to explain that the surgery includes some margin of error. At 71, I have undergone a fair number of surgical procedures, large and small. I have to say that this one went flawlessly. Dr. Chang and his support team worked perfectly together. Dr. Chang engineered my replacement lens to enable me to see at distance and still read on computer, no mean trick. For the first time in my life, I have real depth perception due to the astigmatism correction, and I am pleased with the range of vision I have in the operated on eye. Given my experience with his group and his surgical mastery, I would recommend Dr. Chang to anyone needing eye surgery, without reservation.

Mbs Ho

I think they are overrating Dr. David Chang. Well because of the so many good reviews about him, I've went ahead had a cataract surgery with him. Then now after seeing him more couple of times, I can feel the arrogance in his behavior. He's the one who told me that did I not know that he's one of the greatest eye surgeons in the "world"? Wait, why would it come from his own mouth? Second, during my surgery he yelled at me couple of times. He made me used these eye drops Lotemax by Bausch and Lomb for more than two weeks to about a month and I try to follow his direction even though they feel like acid into my eye, but after almost a month, I suddenly see gazillions of floaters. My other eye also happened to see lots of floaters after another doctor (Mark David) asked me to instill Pilocarpine (also by Bausch and Lomb). And after another month, my surgerized eye see more floaters, this time, a retinal specialist diagnosed it to be a macular puck. Which is usually caused by an injury to the eye. So I've concluded that Dr. Chang was not gentle enough during my surgery, that he had caused my surgerized eye to have a macular puck, a wrinkling of the macula because of possible stress to injury. Thanks Dr. Chang indeed. I don't think you're the greatest after all.

Elmer Bergman

As stated in my letter of January 31, 2014: “My eyesight in the right eye was much better before surgery than it is now. Simply said, my vision in the right eye is now unacceptable.” There are at least two elements affecting my poor vision, namely the lens you implanted in the right eye which you stated is exactly the same as that of the left eye was inappropriate and also that injury occurred during surgery causing the recurring blurriness and ongoing need for sticky eye drops. Further, you have been unable to correct these vision problems. You stated that it would be dangerous to try to replace the lens which another ophthalmologist has confirmed. Recently, I have been prescribed glasses for correction of both eyes. Accordingly, I received no benefit for the extra pre-payment of $4,400.00 paid by my check numbers 1809 and 1824 for the multifocal intraocular lens implantation (MIOL) which was in addition to the following billings by you or your associates to my insurance, Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Addendum: Dr. Chang requires the $2,200.00 per eye upfront for the MIOL lenses, then bills as if he implanted the SIOL without ever notifying the insurance company or government paying agency that he collected additional funds and performed a different service than billed. Further, his staff claims there is no ICD-9 medical code for the procedure actually performed which is untrue.

Nancy

Dr. Chang came highly recommended but I was extremely disappointed with his services! Dr. Chang removed the cataracts from my mom's right and left eye. After her first surgery we had a couple of questions about blurry vision. He seemed irritated answering the questions. I thought he was having a bad day and let it go. With her second eye my mom saw floaters so we asked questions about the black specks she saw. Dr. Chang then got extremely defensive and started talking down to us stating he did a wonderful job and couldn't predict if my mom's floaters would go away. I continued to ask questions because I'm not a doctor and was trying to understand what my mom was experiencing. He would not let me finish my sentences, kept interrupting and speaking over me. We ended up learning more about the floaters through a "Google Search". I was extremely disappointed with his bed side manners. He's impatient and arrogant. He would be the ideal doctor if your surgery/recovery healed perfectly. Unfortunately that's not the real world.

Rita Vrhel

Dr Chang is fantastic! his office staff are efficient, personable and love their jobs. Many speak of the wonderful experience of working with Dr Chang. Interesting with not for. The office runs smoothly with no bickering or internal tensions. Dr Chang is a skilled physician and a great surgeon. One cataract down; one to go. I highly recommend Dr Chang; received his name as a recommendation from a friend with "eye issues".

Laura Brickman

Read my excellent review on dr. David Chang on YELP. DR. CHANG SAVED MY VISION, NEED I SAY MORE! MARIANNE LAURA BRICKMAN

Slim Pikens

This Dr. is incredible. I'm 60 + and my vision is better, by far, than ever in my life. He and his staff are professional in every manner. His knowledge and expertise I feel cannot be exceeded anywhere in the world. I traveled a great distance to have him do my surgery and would again in a split second if the need ever again arise. Clearly the right choice.

Ross MacPhee

Dr. Chang and his team were efficient and kind. Over the course of two weeks I had cataracts in both eyes replaced with crystal clear lenses. As a cataract specialist, Dr. Chang has a highly organized and optimized process; from evaluation to consultation to surgery and recovery. Others have commented on his bed-side manner which was less important to me than his technical and surgical skills. In this case, being "just a number" pays off in lowered risk, faster surgery, with fast recover times. His website and published papers address all aspects of his process including a detailed video of the surgery. Doing homework in advanced of your visit should address most if not all of your questions. I highly recommend Dr. Chang.

John Archdeacon

I had cataract surgery done on both eyes (about a month apart) in Oct 2009. My eyes were very challenging; I had significant hyperopia (extreme farsightedness in the +6 to +6.5 range). Most cataract surgeons would probably not be interested in working on my eyes because of this. Unfortunately, my moderate cataracts were becoming a large contributing vision / clarity problem for me when combined with my severe hyperopia. My regular opthomologist (Dr. Saub in Los Gatos, also a great doc) referred me to Dr. Chang, and I am glad he did. Dr. Chang told me I was not a candidate for the newer multi-focal lens technology because of my severe hyperopia, so I had to settle for the single-focal lens solution. Even so, after surgery, I can now easily read with either eye and work on my PC (where I spend most of my time at work) for the first time in my life! I will still get glasses to help my now slightly nearsighted eyes for distance vision, but I am extremely happy to see the world so clearly now, compared to the yellow tinted foggy / fuzzy world I had slowly evolved into without even realizing it! Dr. Chang spent a lot of personal time helping educate me on the risks and probable benefits BEFORE the surgery which was great. He is truly a terrific doc with great surgical and human skills. I highly recommend him and his entire office (other docs there and office personnel) - all courteous and helpful!

Jonathan Frantz

As a practicing Ophthalmologist, I want to share with you my opinion of Dr Chang. Dr Chang is without a doubt one of the brightest, caring and talented eye surgeons on the planet!. He has pioeered many techniques that have made cataract surgery safer. He spends a remarkable amount of time teaching other Ophthalmologists cataract surgery. He also spends quite a bit of time on medical and surgical missions to third world countries providing his great talents free of charge. all the royalties he earns from books and surgical instruments he develops are donated to charity. He is a fantastic technician and teacher. If I needed cataract surgery I would be flying to California to have Dr Chang perform it. son't listen to the naysayers (though they are a very few), they have no idea what they are talking about.

Luen Lin

I did my homework before settling on Dr. Chang. He got the most referrals from my friends. Dr. Chang was also the doctor who found out the association of a prostate medicine Flomax and its effect upon some defects (iris flapping) of cataract surgery. If you are taking Flomax and in need of cataract surgery make sure you ask the surgeon(s) if they know the side effects of the medicine. One day after surgery I was able to see clearly and it more than met my expectations.

Robert Swedroe

Dr Chang is awesome. Great surgeon who performed a very technically difficult cataract surgery, due to my eye anatomy; perfect results. I find his bedside manner engaging. I wouldn't think of going anywhere else.