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 Welcome to Thomas Retinal Eye Specialists website. Our group specializes in the treatment of diseases affecting the back of the eye, specifically those of the retina, vitreous, and macula. Patients are referred when a retinal problem is suspected. We care for patients with macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachment, retinitis, uveitis, and dry eye, and floaters. We have two office locations and several satellites. Each is equipped with state of the art diagnostic equipment and treatment facilities. Our group is active in community education, and are dedicated to providing the best possible care, and can provide patient access to the most current treatment options. What is a Retina Specialist? A retina specialist is a medical doctor trained as an ophthalmologist, who has received additional fellowship training in diseases and surgery of the vitreous and retina. The vitreous is the jelly like substance that fills the eye. The retina is the part of the eye responsible for creating an image that is processed by the brain. Retinal damage can cause permanent vision loss. Our retina specialists commonly treat diabetic eye disease, vitreous hemorrhage, macular degeneration, retinal detachments, uveitis, and floaters. Your First Appointment Your first appointment with us will involve a comprehensive eye evaluation, including a detailed examination of your vitreous and retina. Your eyes will be dilated and your vision may become blurred for a brief period of time. Please set aside at least two hours for your initial consultation. If additional tests are required, your visit could be prolonged. You may wish to have someone with you to help drive you home. If you are diabetic we suggest that you bring a snack/or lunch. Surgery and Laser Treatment Should you need surgery, our physicians are on staff at many hospitals in the area. Most surgeries are performed as an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia. We are fully equipped to perform in-office laser procedures at all our offices. Insurance and Billing We accept most health insurance plans, including Blue Cross, Blue Shield, and Medicare. Please be sure you bring insurance cards and referral forms for your first visit. If you are a member of an HMO, you must have an authorization number and/or your physician referral with you. Otherwise, your examination could be cancelled or delayed. Also expect to pay your co-payment and any deductible amounts at the time of your appointment. If special payment arrangements are necessary, please contact our office staff prior to your appointment. Emergencies Our routine office hours are 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday through Friday. In case of an eye emergency, our doctors are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Your Visit Depending on the complexity of your problem, your first visit with us may require over 2 hours. If special diagnostic testing and/or laser treatment is necessary, you may need to be in our office longer. To perform an adequate retinal examination it is necessary to dilate your pupils at each visit. Because this may blur your vision for 12 to 24 hours and make your eyes sensitive to light, you may want to arrange to have someone drive you home. Sunglasses may make you more comfortable during your trip home following your appointment. An Ophthalmic Technician will initially greet you, and will note your present problem and record a detailed ocular and medical history. Please bring the names, addresses and phone numbers of the doctors involved in your care so we may keep them informed about your diagnosis and treatment. You will be asked for a list of your current medications. Your vision and intraocular pressures will be measured and eye drops will be used to dilate your pupils. Pupillary dilation requires up to 30 minutes. Your physician will then perform a thorough ophthalmological and vitreoretinal examination. If necessary, additional diagnostic testing will then be done. This may include retinal photography, fluorescein angiography, ocular ultrasound, visual field testing, and optical coherence tomography. Once your examination and any additional tests are completed, your physician will explain the results to you. The doctor will take all the time necessary to explain your specific problem(s) and to outline a course of action. We encourage you to bring a close family member along for the examination and explanation to be certain that all of your questions are answered and that the doctor's recommendations are fully understood. A complete consultation report will be sent to your referring doctor and co managing doctor. |
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