Frequently Asked Questions

Whether you need a referral to see a retina specialist depends on your health insurance plan. Many patients can schedule an appointment with Retina Consultants of Carolina without a referral, while others, especially those with certain HMO or Medicare Advantage plans, may need a referral from their primary care physician or eye doctor before specialist care is covered.

If you are unsure whether your insurance requires a referral, our scheduling team can help verify your benefits before your appointment. We recommend checking with your insurance company if you have questions about your specific coverage.

If your eye doctor or primary care provider referred you to Retina Consultants of Carolina, our team can quickly confirm whether we have received your referral and any accompanying medical records.

Simply call our office with your name and date of birth, and we’ll verify the status of your referral and help schedule your appointment if everything has been received.

Retina Consultants of Carolina sends appointment reminders by phone, text message, and/or email before your visit. If you need to confirm your appointment, update your contact information, or reschedule for another date, simply contact the office where your appointment is scheduled.

If your schedule changes, please let us know as early as possible so we can offer that appointment time to another patient in need of retinal care.

Yes. All of our physicians are fellowship-trained retina specialists who diagnose and treat a wide range of retinal diseases and conditions.

Some physicians also have advanced expertise in specific areas:

• Dr. Bergstrom specializes in ocular oncology, including eye tumors, ocular masses, and choroidal nevi.
• Dr. Merrill specializes in uveitis and inflammatory eye diseases.

If your referring doctor recommends a specific physician, or your condition requires a particular subspecialty, our scheduling team will make every effort to schedule you appropriately.

Yes. Retina Consultants of Carolina has multiple convenient locations throughout the Upstate of South Carolina. If your preferred office does not have an appointment available soon enough, our scheduling team will gladly check availability at another location to help you be seen as quickly as possible.

Many patients choose to travel to another office when they need urgent evaluation for retinal conditions such as macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal tears, retinal detachment, or sudden vision changes.

We have offices in Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson, Clemson and Greenwood, South Carolina.

A retina specialist is an ophthalmologist who has completed additional fellowship training focused exclusively on diseases and surgery involving the retina, macula, and vitreous. Your referring eye doctor wants you to receive specialized evaluation and treatment for conditions affecting the back of your eye.

Retina specialists diagnose and treat conditions including:

• Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
• Diabetic retinopathy
• Retinal tears
• Retinal detachment
• Macular holes
• Macular puckers
• Retinal vein occlusions
• Uveitis
• Ocular tumors

Because retinal diseases can progress quickly, early evaluation by a retina specialist often helps preserve vision.

Most new patient appointments at Retina Consultants of Carolina last approximately two hours. During your visit, you’ll undergo several specialized eye tests, your pupils will be dilated, and your retina specialist will perform a comprehensive examination.

Patients being evaluated in our specialized Uveitis Clinic should expect their visit to last approximately three hours, as additional testing and evaluation may be required.

We encourage patients to plan accordingly and allow enough time for their visit.

Yes. Nearly all new patients have both eyes dilated so the physician can perform a detailed examination of the retina and optic nerve. Dilating drops temporarily enlarge your pupils, allowing your doctor to see the back of your eye more clearly.

Your vision may remain blurry, and your eyes may be sensitive to light for several hours afterward. Many patients bring sunglasses and arrange for someone to drive them home if they are uncomfortable driving after dilation.

Previous eye exams and imaging are extremely helpful, and our physicians carefully review records sent by your referring doctor whenever possible. However, retina specialists often need additional testing because retinal diseases can change rapidly.

Your physician may repeat imaging to:

• Obtain current baseline images
• Use specialized retinal equipment not available elsewhere
• Compare today’s findings with future visits
• Guide treatment decisions
• Meet insurance documentation requirements

Performing updated imaging ensures your retina specialist has the most accurate information about your current eye health.

In many cases, yes. Medical insurance companies generally cover medically necessary testing when it helps diagnose or monitor retinal disease. However, coverage depends on your individual insurance plan, your diagnosis, and the medical necessity documented by your physician.

Our team works with your insurance company whenever possible to ensure testing meets coverage guidelines.

To help your appointment go smoothly, please bring:

• A government-issued photo ID
• Your current insurance card(s)
• A list of all medications
• Your current eye drops
• Referral information, if required
• Any paperwork you were asked to complete before your visit

Completing forms before you arrive helps reduce wait times and allows your physician to review your medical history before your examination.

Retina Consultants of Carolina participates with Medicare and most major commercial insurance plans, including many Medicare Advantage plans. Because insurance networks and individual policies vary, we recommend contacting our office before your appointment so we can verify your specific coverage.

Even if your insurance company is listed as participating, your individual plan benefits may differ.

Retina Consultants of Carolina is a medical specialty practice that treats diseases affecting the retina. Most retinal conditions are billed through your medical insurance, not your vision insurance.

Vision insurance generally covers routine eye exams, eyeglasses, and contact lenses, while medical insurance covers treatment for eye diseases such as macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal tears, retinal detachment, and other retinal conditions.

Many patients are surprised to learn that specialist visits and medical procedures may require more than a simple copay. Depending on your insurance plan, you may also be responsible for meeting your annual deductible or paying coinsurance.

These costs are determined by your insurance company, not by Retina Consultants of Carolina. Our staff is happy to help explain your estimated patient responsibility before your visit whenever possible.

Your financial responsibility depends on your insurance benefits, deductible status, coinsurance, copayment, and any non-covered services. Our team verifies insurance whenever possible and will collect any required patient responsibility at the time of your visit.

If you have questions about your estimated costs before your appointment, please contact our office.

The cost of retinal injections varies depending on the medication your physician recommends, your insurance coverage, your deductible, and your coinsurance responsibilities.

Before treatment, our team will work with your insurance company to verify benefits and discuss your estimated out-of-pocket costs. Financial assistance programs may also be available for eligible patients receiving certain medications.

Patients without medical insurance are asked to pay a self-pay deposit before their appointment. Our scheduling staff can explain the current deposit amount and discuss payment expectations when your appointment is scheduled.

No. Retina Consultants of Carolina does not use MyChart.

Instead, patients have access to MyPatientVisit, a secure patient portal, where they can review available health information, complete forms, and access other account features. MyPatientVisit can be accessed by clicking this link:

https://www.mypatientvisit.com/#/login

If you need help accessing your portal or resetting your password, our office will be happy to assist you.

If your pharmacy has not received your prescription after your appointment, please contact our office. Our staff will verify that it was sent correctly and resend it if necessary.

Yes. Retina Consultants of Carolina routinely communicates with referring physicians. After your visit, we send consultation notes, treatment recommendations, and updates to your referring provider, so they remain informed about your care.

Many patients experience temporary blurry vision or light sensitivity after pupil dilation or certain retinal treatments. However, you should contact our office immediately if you experience:

• Sudden vision loss
• Increasing eye pain
• A large increase in flashes or floaters
• A curtain or shadow over your vision
• Severe redness after an injection

These symptoms could indicate a serious retinal condition requiring prompt evaluation.