Referrals for Cataract and Retinal Disease
Referral information for optometrists and GPs referring patients to Dr Ross MacIntyre at Bundoora or Wonthaggi.
This page is for optometrists and GPs referring patients to me. I see patients with cataract who also have retinal disease, and I provide intravitreal injections, retinal laser and glaucoma laser at both Bundoora and Wonthaggi. Referrals for Bundoora go through Northern Eye Consultants. Referrals for Wonthaggi come directly to me at Bass Coast Eye Centre.
Cataract with Coexisting Retinal Disease
Many patients referred for cataract assessment also have macular degeneration, diabetic eye disease, a retinal vein occlusion or another retinal condition. For these patients I assess the cataract and the retina at the same consultation, and plan the timing of cataract surgery around any retinal treatment they need, so that both conditions are managed together rather than separately.
For patients who would like more detail, corneaeyedoctor.com has guides on cataract surgery with macular degeneration, cataract surgery with diabetes and cataract surgery with glaucoma.
Retinal Referrals at Wonthaggi and Bundoora
At Wonthaggi, referrals to treat age-related macular degeneration, diabetic macular oedema, diabetic retinopathy, retinal vein occlusion and choroidal neovascularisation from other causes can be addressed to me directly at Bass Coast Eye Centre. At Bundoora, Northern Eye Consultants will direct medical retina referrals to the most appropriate ophthalmologist in the practice. This includes referrals for diabetic eye disease.
Treatments Available at Bundoora and Wonthaggi
I provide the following treatments at both Northern Eye Consultants in Bundoora and Bass Coast Eye Centre in Wonthaggi, so patients can be treated at whichever location is closer to home:
- ✓ Intravitreal injections
- ✓ Retinal laser, including focal laser and retinopexy
- ✓ Glaucoma laser, including selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) and YAG laser peripheral iridotomy
For diabetic macular oedema and diabetic retinopathy, I treat with intravitreal injections and laser at both locations.
How Quickly Patients Are Seen
New referrals are usually seen within one to two weeks. Urgent patients can be seen on the same day. For an urgent referral, please phone the rooms before sending the patient so that an appointment can be arranged.
What to Include in the Referral
Including the following details helps me assess the patient and plan treatment at the first visit:
- ✓ Visual acuity
- ✓ OCT scans, where available
- ✓ Retinal findings
- ✓ Previous treatment
- ✓ Current medications
- ✓ The reason for referral
A referral from a GP or optometrist is needed for the patient to claim Medicare rebates.
How to Refer
Bundoora
Northern Eye Consultants
Suite 5, Northpark Hospital Consulting Rooms
135 Plenty Road, Bundoora VIC 3083
HealthLink EDI: nthneyec
Fax: (03) 9466 8833
Phone: (03) 9466 8822
Wonthaggi
Bass Coast Eye Centre
Please address referrals to Dr Ross MacIntyre.
After the Referral
I write to the referring optometrist or GP after the first assessment, and again when treatment is complete.
Dr Ross MacIntyre MD FRANZCO
I hold a public appointment in the Cornea Unit at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, and completed fellowship training in cornea, complex cataract and refractive surgery at the Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University.
- ✓ Fellowship, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins
- ✓ Corneal Fellowship, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital
- ✓ FRANZCO, Fellow RANZCO
- ✓ Diplomate, American Board of Ophthalmology
- ✓ Consultant Ophthalmologist, Cornea Unit, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital
Refer a Patient
For urgent referrals, please phone the rooms first.