Common Questions – Concerns Before you Arrive

We have assembled here some of the most commonly asked questions about our subspecialty and the most common conditions our patients are referred for. Please start with the general topics listed below, or click on a link to the left for specific topics regarding your condition.

1. Why was I referred to your clinic?
2. Does insurance cover treatment of my eye problem?
3. What kind of training do our doctors have?

Why was I referred to your clinic?

Patients are typically referred to us by their optometrist or general ophthalmologist, or at times by a generalist or hospital physician, for specific problems involving the retina and vitreous that require specialized equipment and techniques to properly evaluate and care for. We address those problems and report back to your eye doctor about our findings and any recommended treatments. If we find that you require additional subspecialty care, we may refer you to another subspecialist within ophthalmology or in another medical area as needed.

Does insurance cover treatment of my eye problem?

Diseases that affect the retina and vitreous are nearly always covered as medical problems by insurance providers, and therefore fall under standard coverage terms. Our billing specialists will help you ensure that specific examinations or treatments will be covered during your visit.

What kind of training do our doctors have?

Ophthalmology is one of the most highty subspecialized fields in medicine, and many problems that affect the eyes result from more complex systemic problems that require an understanding of the entire body in order to properly diagnose and treat. Dr. Djafari and Dr. Roller are both MDs, having completed 4 years of college and 4 years of medical school. Then, they each spent one year in a general medicine internship followed by three years in an intensive ophthalmology residency program, and after this, another two years of study in retinal disease and vitreoretinal surgery. Including college, the total amount of higher education for a retina specialist is 14-15 years of total study. Dr. Djafari and Dr. Roller are both certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology, having passed rigorous testing to ensure their mastery of this delicate and complex specialty.