Dr. Berger
has been elected by his peers for inclusion in
Best Doctors in America from 2003 to 2008
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Office Hours: 8:00a.m. - 5:30p.m.
WELCOME TO OUR OFFICE...
To help you feel comfortable, and to serve
you better, we'd like you to know more about us.
Mission Statement
Finding us
When you come to the office
Our office routine
Clinical research
When surgery is necessary
When you need other help
To our patients
We strive to provide the best care for patients with retinal disease in a high touch high tech environment. We believe that the best patient care occurs in a setting that includes education and research. We utilize the latest technology and techniques for the mangement of retinal diseases. We also teach premedical students, postgraduate students, interns, and residents.
Our office is in the Austin Medical Plaza, at the corner of 38th and Medical Parkway, just east of Seton Hospital. Our suite, 410, is on the 4th floor, north tower. From I-35, take the 38th 1/2 Street exit and continue west to Medical Parkway. From Mopac, exit at 35th, which becomes 38th. Continue east to Medical Parkway. Parking is available in the garage at Medical Parkway and 37th Street. However, we cannot validate parking tickets.
WHEN YOU COME TO THE OFFICE...
When you come to our office for your first appointment, please bring all your medications and insurance cards. This helps us with your medical history and saves time.
A complete retina consultation generally takes a minimum of two
hours.
Evaluation of the retina frequently involves
a diagnostic procedure called a fluorescein angiogram. This test uses
our special cameras to photograph the retina. The test requires an injection
of special dye into the blood stream through a vein in your arm. Our technicians
will explain the fluorescein angiogram to you if it is part of your exam.
To perform a retinal exam, we must dilate the eye's pupil.
When the pupil is wider, we get a better
view of the retina, the lining in the back of the eye. Dilating eye drops
take 15-20 minutes to work, so you will have a waiting period.
Once your pupils are dilated, it is normally difficult to read and bright sunlight will bother you. We provide temporary sunglasses to reduce discomfort from the glare. You can drive while your eyes are dilated, however, we recommend that you plan to have someone drive you home. Most eyes are back to normal by the next morning, but sometimes dilation can last 24 hours.
Due to our heavy surgery schedule, we see
patients by appointment only. Call our office number, 454-5851 or 1-800-926-9142,
night or day. If you must miss an appointment, please give us 24 hours
notice or you may incur a cancellation charge of $25.00.
Research is necessary for the advancement of medicine. When the best treatment for a medical problem is not known, I believe that research is the best way to answer the question. The Retina Research Center was established in 2000 to create a dedicated environment for patients and staff involved in retina research. We specialize in clinical trials related to age related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, uveitis and macular edema. Our site is staffed with ophthalmic professionals who are trained in all aspects of clinical research.
For more information, go to www.e-retina.net or call (512) 454-0138
click here for more information on our clinical research
Some types of surgery can be done in the office. Laser treatments for problems related to diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, retinal holes and tears are common office procedures. Surgery for retinal detachment and vitreous hemorrhage are performed in an operating rooml.
In an emergency, regardless of the time of day, immediately call the office number, 454-5851 or 1-800-926-9142. If Dr. Berger is not available, you will be referred to a qualified professional who will help you.
If you need information, please call during office hours. For appointments, dial 1. For billing, dial 3. For medical questions, dial extension 105 or you may email your questions to questions@e-retina.net. Frequently the staff can answer your questions. If they cannot, Dr. Berger will call you back, generally at the end of the day. Please understand that we try not to interrupt patient examinations.
For prescription refills, call the pharmacy where the prescription was last filled. They will call us directly if there is a question. If the pharmacist can't refill it, call the office during regular business hours and dial 4. Have the medication container, the name, and telephone number of your pharmacy at the phone with you. Personalized attention is our goal.
In order to accommodate the needs and requests of our patients, we are contracted with numerous insurance programs. We are pleased to be on these provider lists in order to take care of you. It is extremely difficult, if not impossible, for us to keep track of all the individual requirements of these plans. Each one has different stipulations regarding how services may be rendered, and the number of visits allowed, which does not automatically coincide with the number of visits needed. Even within the same insurance company the plans differ depending upon the contract your employer has negotiated.
Providing quality care is our primary concern, and we are more than willing to provide the care within your insurance contract.
Unfortunately if you do not inform us of the specific requirements in
your insurance contract, and we subsequently provide services that are
not covered, we will have no choice but
to bill you directly for those services. Payment of unauthorized services
is then your responsibility. With your cooperation and help, you should
be able to receive all the benefits due by your insurance carrier and
we will be able to concentrate on caring for your needs. We must know
the name of your primary care physician.
Copayments are collected at the time of registration. There is a $20.00 fee to bill you for your copay. Please bring your insurance cards with you each time you visit our office. Report all changes in insurance, address, and employment.
Please be sure you have obtained your referral or authorization number before you arrive for your appointment to avoid the possibility of having to reschedule or to be responsible for the total fees.
If your insurance plan does not cover the services performed, please be prepared to pay for these services on the day received by Visa, Mastercard, Discover, check, or cash.
For any surgical procedures, charges will be discussed with you when
arrangements are made and authorization is obtained. Please do not hesitate
to ask any questions you may have at that time.