Reviews of Dr. Craig E. Berger, MD (Plastic Surgery)

Denis Barrette

After seeing another ophthalmologist for many years, I lost the vision in my left eye due to a very thick cataract, caused by his reluctance to remove, and a failed cornea transplant he performed. That doctor was reluctant to perform a “triple” operation (cataract removal, lens insertion and cornea transplant) to restore my sight. Frustrated, I consulted with Dr. Berger. He researched my existing conditions, made observations of my eye and performed the “triple” procedure. My vision was restored right after the operation. In addition, Dr. Berger recommended the use of a scleral contact lens in my right eye to improve my vision. Lisa, his Ophthalmic Technician/Manager, refracted me and with her patience fitted me with one that is very comfortable and has improved the vision in my right eye. I am very thankful for finding Dr. Berger and his willingness to go forward with this challenging triple procedure considering the condition of my left eye. As I have a technical background, I appreciate Dr. Berger’s technical and physician knowledge, and his detailed explanation of a procedure he recommends. I am pleased with the results and appreciate his patience and, importantly, his skill with this difficult procedure. The office staff is always friendly, courteous and willing to help. I am so appreciative for those who offer their corneas at their time of passing. Without their donations, myself and so many others would not enjoy the benefits of this important contribution for the gift of sight.

Concerned Aba

I just moved from Jacksonville, Dr Berger was recommended by my Dr. I have found him to be excellent!

William Cortes-Colon

I am 67 years and seen many eye-doctors in the past for chronic-dry eyes. I can indeed state that this doctor has been the best, most professional and honest doctor I have seen so far. I do indeed recommend him to anyone, including members of my immediate family.

Kathy Rossi

Professional staff. Great doctor. Very clean facilities!

Vickie Buti

Yes, I rated I loved it. Well as much as you can love surgery. I was referred to Dr. Craig Berger from another physician. I have Fuch's Dystrophy and was in need of new cornea's. Well I am 1 week out from having the inner layer of my left cornea transplanted. My vision is so clear in my left eye it is truly unbelievable. Dr. Berger is a highly professional eye surgeon. Dr. Berger along with his devoted office staff made my experience as least painful as possible. I am blessed to have been referred to Dr. Berger. I would recommend Dr. Berger to anyone. I am also a medical professional myself, a Registered Nurse. A big thank you to Dr. Berger and his devoted staff.

Albert Ganzemuller

Dr Berger can be rude and distant. My last visit with consisted of a 2 hours wait; his staff closed the office and he forgot about my scheduled appointment. He failed to see me that day. He answered by asking if I still wanted to use him "or what"? My cataract operation, the one that he performed, resulted in double vision. He said there was nothing he could do since there were no guarantees from any operations. My eyes watered so badly after the operation that he diagnosed the condition of dry eyes and for several months tired punctal plugs. The irritation from that trial and error was totally unacceptable. I couldn't drive at night and could no longer read for any length of time. I finally changed Ophthalmologists and found out quickly that the double vision was correctable by the use of a prism lens in my left eye. The double vision and watering eyes stopped immediately. When I asked Dr Berger's staff for access to my records I was told the on-line system was not working. It's still not working and I still don't have access to my records. Stay away from this Dr.; you can do better!

Alisha Alti

Great physician and staff. We were very fortunate to be treated by Dr. Berger. Highly recommend !

Diana Carpenter

We were referred to Dr. Berger by our family physician. It has been a very satisfactory experience. I have just completed my second cataract surgery. There were no complications with the procedure. I once again am able to drive comfortably at night and amazed at how much brighter everything appears. Where else can we get a great staff, gifted surgeon, and a plus of fresh brewed coffee.

Gerald Boeckman

I recently (March 2019) completed the last of my post-op visits with Dr. Craig Berger at Bay Area Eye Institute in Tampa Fl. and wanted to comment on my experience. After much research, I scheduled my initial visit with Dr. Berger in the fall of 2018. I had moved to central Florida and was looking for a surgeon to complete work that I needed done. Prior to the move, I had successful cataract surgery done on my left eye by another doctor. I knew that due to a cornea condition known as Fuchs' Dystrophy, I would need cornea transplants done on both eyes as well as the second cataract surgery. Prior to the surgeries, my vision was very blurry, like looking through an extremely dirty window. I couldn't drive at night and reading was becoming more difficult. I was losing my eyesight. Dr. Berger handled the second cataract surgery and performed what is referred to as DMEK cornea transplant surgery on both eyes to address the Fuchs' Dystrophy. Today, I can see clearly and have 20/30 vision without glasses! I cannot thank Dr. Berger enough for the excellent work that he has done for me. I am forever great full to him for restoring my eyesight!! Needless to say, I would recommend him to anyone seeking a quality eye surgeon. I also want to give a shout out to his staff, Lisa, Chad, Giovonni, Lacy and Daiquiri. They are all at the top of their game!!! Thanks everyone. You are the best!!!!!

Mark Bartz

I was legally blind and now have 20/20 vision. Enough said.

Jean Gootee

Dr. Berger is professional and very experienced. His staff is efficient, helpful and friendly and his new office is spacious and welcoming. My cataract surgeries have been extremely comfortable and I am grateful for this. I would highly recommend him for any eye treatments or procedures.

Carl Wycka

Very satisfied and pleased with the whole experience. Doctor Berger is excellent.

Jeanine Chapp

My vision has gotten progressively worse since my radial keratotomy in the 1980's. I have 6 pair of hard contact lenses that I couldn't tolerate. When I failed my vision test at the driver's license bureau, I contacted Dr. Berger who was recommended by 2 other eye doctor's. I had my corneal transplant and cataract surgery in May of this year and can already see 20/40 (corrected) out of that eye. I haven't been able to see better than 20/400 in years!!! I highly recommend Dr. Berger and his awesome staff. I am so excited to be able to see out of BOTH eyes again after nearly 30 years.

Suzie Siegel

I had trouble with my left cornea; cataracts in both eyes; and my vision was about -12 in one eye and -13 in the other. After surgery, I can now see 20-20 for distance and need only drugstore readers for reading and other up-close tasks. This is amazing, considering I've worn glasses since grade school. I wasn't an easy case. It took me a while to decide what was best. I appreciate Dr. Berger and his staff answering all of my questions.

Ginny Putscher

Dr. Berger is an excellent Ophthalmologist, he found the perfect solution for my dry eye, Punctal Plugs.. He and is staff are courteous, professional and punctual.

Elizabeth Harris

I am very grateful that I was referred to Dr. Craig Berger. When I arrived at Dr. Berger's office I barely had any vision in my left eye. My eye looked like something out of an alien movie coupled with a great amount of discomfort and pain. Under Dr. Berger's care my vision has been restored, and my eye feels and looks normal with no pain or discomfort. Thank you Dr. Berger and your entire staff for encouraging me along the way and the awesome care that you have provided.

Michael Negley

Dr. Berger has performed four surgeries on my eyes over the past year - two for cataracts and two for corneal transplants. I consider him an excellent physician and skilled surgeon - certainly among the best I have known. He is also a very nice guy and fine sense of humor who loves his family and really cares about his patients. I feel blessed to be under his care and can certainly recommend him to others seeking a professional ophthalmologist.

B. Hagen

Dr. Craig Berger gave me hope after going from doctor to doctor after my cataract surgery performed by another doctor. I truly wished I had discovered his office first. I highly recommend Dr. Berger for all your eye care. He is through, patience, direct. He answered all my questions and gave me options to explore for the issues with my eyes in the future. My overall experience with Dr. Berger has been very good.

Jack Boleman

Dr. Berger, and his staff, are great! It is my strong feeling that I would recommend him, without reservation. He performed Cataract Surgery on both of my eyes, with amazing results. Choosing to upgrade to the Restor Lense was wonderful. Now I have 20/20 vision in both eyes and no longer require glasses. Couldn't be happier!!

Mary Meckley

Dr. Berger is a good doctor but make sure you build at least an hour wait time into your schedule. I’ve visited there several times and it’s rare I wait less than an hour to be seen.

Sue Brock

I was referred to Dr Berger by my sister in law. I traveled from Plant City to have Dr Berger look at my cataracts. Dr. Berger and his staff were very professional and thorough in the examination prior to my surgery. I would definitely recommend Dr Berger and his staff to perform any eye surgery you may need. My husband plans to have his cataract removed by Dr Berger due to the success of my surgery. Phaedra was exceptional during this process -Sue Brock

Jim Tone

Dr Berger removed a cataract and the whole process from beginning to end went smoothly. He is a very good eye surgeon.His entireTeam is very friendly, efficient and professional. Also very pleased with Tampa Bay Surgery Center. They were excellent too.Good Luck Dr. Berger on opening your own practice in North Tampa. Beautiful office as well.

Deborah Stone

DR. BERGER FIRST SAVED MY VISSION BACK IN 2004 WHEN I HAD AQT. DRY EYES DUE TO MY LUPUS... FEBRUARY OF THIS YEAR MY CATARACTS GOT LARGE ENOUGH TO HAVE SURGERY... HEAND HIS STAFF WERE VERY INFORMATIVE AND HELPED ME THROUGH MEDICARE/MEDICADE TO PAY EVERYTHING... THE OUTPATIENT PROCEEDURES A MONTH APART (AS BOTH EYES REQUIRED SURGERY) WAS GREAT!!! THE POST-OP WAS WELL PLANED AND SIMPLE TO FOLLOW!!! I WILL HIGHLY RECOMEND HIM TO YOU A/W/A AS ALL I KNOW AND LOVE!!! SINCERELY, DEBORAH L. STONE

cynthia becker

Very courteous, thoughtful, and thorough..staff is kind and efficient.

Julie Lindsey

Wasted almost 2 hrs of my time at this terribly crowded, over booked clinic for the doctor to spend about 3 mins with me. I have not had an eye exam in 2 yrs but did not get a thorough eye exam. The bathroom was shockingly dirty even for a public or gas station bathroom. Instead of handing me my prescription for eye drops I was told it will be called in to my drugstore, two days later, no script has been called in or faxed. I'm sure even medicaid patients are treated better. Go elsewhere for your eye problems......... I went to see Dr. T. Pusateri today, 7/31/2018 at Florida Eye Center and received a thorough eye exam totally unlike the 2 eye exams I received at Dr. Berger's. Also I have been using the same walgreen's for almost 30 yrs & would never give the wrong tel number. It would be nice to Dr Berger's office admit their own mistakes.... additionally, they should know what a complete eye exam is..... it is not 2 hrs of waiting for a 3-5 mins of actual visit & test.

Thomas Zander

When I was diagnosed with cataracts in both eyes, I knew that cataract surgery would be complicated by my having had radial keratotomy (RK) in both eyes to correct my myopia (nearsightedness) in the mid-1980’s. The challenge of cataract surgery for post-RK patients is the difficulty in getting accurate cornea measurements to determine the prescription for the intraocular lens that replaces the cloudy lens. Current measuring instruments do not account for the segmented, flattened corneas of the post-RK patient. The surgery itself differs from ordinary cataract surgery in that the incision point is the sclera instead of the cornea to minimize the risk of destabilizing the segmented, post-RK cornea. The first ophthalmologist I consulted has a large practice in Tampa and specializes in cataract surgery, but he told me that, due to my history of RK, my case was too complicated for his practice. I then consulted ophthalmologists at the University of Utah who had conducted peer-reviewed, published research on cataract surgery for post-RK patients. One of them referred me to Dr. Craig Berger. I wrote to Dr. Berger and he promptly replied by telephoning me and telling me of his considerable experience working with post-RK patients in need of cataract surgery. When I had my first appointment with Dr. Berger, he explained that my case was further complicated by the fact that I had Dry Eye Syndrome (DES). Over a 5 month period, Dr. Berger systematically and successfully treated my DES, got the best possible measurements of my corneas, and, finally, performed cataract surgery on my left eye. I am writing this testimonial one week after surgery and can report that my vision in that eye is much improved. While it is too soon to say how close to perfect vision I will ultimately reach in both eyes, I am confident that, with Dr. Berger as my ophthalmologist, I will achieve the best possible outcome. He is both an outstanding ophthalmologist and a friendly, personable, and caring man. His office staff is also uniformly friendly and professional. At a time when many medical practices are characterized by high-volume output and impersonality, it is refreshing to find a medical practice such as that of Dr. Berger, who adheres to the highest standards of medicine and individualized patient care. Thomas K. Zander Tampa, FL

Jesse Hughes

Worst experience ever. Spent over $1000 dollars and can't even get basic things like a prescription.

Barbara Ann Arnold

I had a cornea transplant done by Dr. Berger and I am completely satisfied with my whole experience. I will be having my other eye done by him.

Michael Alperovich

Great doctor

Andre Anthony

Dr. Berger and his staff are awesome! He is extremely knowledgeable and from my initial meeting almost a year ago thru my procedure to today I am extremely pleased with my outcome. Lisa who eventually got me fitted for my Scleral Lenses did a fantastic job through the process. I highly recommend the Bay Area Eye Institute as this is a great group of people who care!

Brian Hennessy

I am pleased to report that my recent cataract surgery by Dr Berger has exceeded my most optimistic expectations. It has been three days since the surgery on my right eye and there has been no post operative pain and very little irritation. Most importantly, I can see with a clarity and crispness that I find truly amazing. On the one day post operative follow-up I nailed the 20/20 line. Today my view of ordinary distant items, such as street signs and digital building numbers, are easily readable. The world is now a brighter place. This surgery was complicated a bit by a prior lasik procedure performed by a clinic that is no longer in business. Dr. Berger was able to work around the unavailable pre-lasik measurements and the result is outstanding. Dr Berger and his staff, especially Phadrea, have been easily accessible and most informative. I am looking forward to getting the left eye corrected. My only regret is putting this off for so long.

Kim Swanson

Dr. Berger did my cataract surgery recently. I am thrilled and love my new eyes! I had been wearing glasses since my early 20's and now I don/t need them at all. His meticulous preparation and measurements led to spectacular results! And he is very accessible to his patients and cheerfully answers all questions. His staff is friendly, too. I highly recommend Dr. Berger to anyone who is considering cataract surgery. I/m glad I trusted him to take good care of my eyes! Dr. Kimberly Swanson Clearwater, FL

Dessie Lewis

I recently had cataract surgery and from the very beginning I was met with smiles and professionalism. Everyone was helpful in helping me understanding what I was about to go thru and was there to answer me with every question I had and there were many. The instruments that were used were of the latest and most precise for making sure that I would have a great outcome and clear vision. I was made very comfortable when I arrived on the day of surgery and I again was explained EXACTLY what I was going to experience and it was exactly that. No surprises which made me very relaxed. Dr. Berger during the surgery was very professional and made the procedure PAINLESS and I could see VERY CLEARLY RIGHT AFTER HE WAS DONE. If anyone has a need of a very skillful eye surgeon Dr. Berger should be your doctor. Thank you, to all his staff and you especially Dr. Berger you have change my life to what I've been missing for so long.

Sallie Perez

Dr Berger was patient and worked with me on my cornea transplant and the medications. I really do see the difference and why it needed to be done.

Ann Morrison

Dr. Berger is thorough, highly skilled. He uses a conservative approach to the treatment and does not propose something one does not need. Intensely absorbed with eye problem, in my case cataract lens.