Cone Health Triad Retina & Diabetic Eye Center

Staff are always very pleasant and nice Dr Matthews is a great doctor

Dr Matthews has for the past six years followed me for a retinal mole. The professionalism I have experienced is of the highest order. His knowledge and manner of relating to me as a patient has been precisely what I desire in a physician. I would recommend Dr Matthews without hesitation to anyone needing his services.

Both Dr. Matthews and Dr. Zamora are extremely well trained, professional, approachable and patient focused. Busy practice, but runs very efficiently. If you are in need of retinal and/or diabetic eye care, these two doctors are some of the best in the business.

Just wanted to say first that this is my own personal experience of Retina and Diabetic Eye Center, Dr Matthews, and Cone Health. I was referred to this facility by an optometrist, based in the Greensboro area, to closer inspect an area in my left eye. I booked an entire afternoon off work to attend my appointment. It took roughly an hour to finally see the doctor, after having both eyes dilated and numbed. I explained to the doctor the reason for my appointment and he studied my notes. He began his examination, replicating all the proceedures carried out by the optometrist (and charging me for them). And then a closer inspection of my eye. He concluded the area in my left eye was harmless, and did not require any treatment. But he did, however, locate what he believed to be a 'thumb tear' in my right retina. I was immediately concerned and asked questions. He could not provide evidence of the tear claiming the position of the tear was difficult to photograph. He insisted I have the area lasered immediately as there was a risk of retinal dettachment. His words 'it's not a case of if, it's when'. I was terrified. Despite the scare tactics I decided to think on it. I was told to contact the surgery within 6 weeks otherwise they would have to check my eyes again which would result in further charges. I worried for several weeks until I decided I would go through the whole process again with a different optometrist and obtain a second opinion. I insisted on being referred to a different specialist. I went through much the same examination, however on this occasion the specialist was able to provide me with photographic evidence of the area. He remarked 'there is no tear, no further treatment is required, I would be lasering a perfectly healthy eye, what is the benefit in that?' I was obviously relieved. That is until the invoices started flooding in. My experience with Cone Health (Retina and Diabetic Eye Center) cost me a total of $565. ($1165 without insurance), and a month of worry. The second, and correct diagnosis, cost me $150. I will leave you all to make your own minds up with regards costs, and other more worrying factors when considering using this facility. But I for one will never step foot this center again. I like my eyes, and they certainly don't need lasering.

Dr. Matthews diagnosed me with diabetic retinopathy in December of 2012. I lost my job a month later because I could not perform tasks due to my eyesight. My father foot the bill for 4 months of laser treatment and eye injections. My last of 7 treatments, costing a total of $2,400 was on April 1, 2013. I remember how the head nurse brandished the 3" needle in front of me while she squirted the excess from the syringe before Dr. Matthews injected it in the soft tissue underneath right eyeball. When Matthews was finished performing the injection, he asked if they hurt me, which it did; leaving me with a black eye. He then remarked that they had just performed the same procedure on a little old lady just before me and it didn't bother her a bit. My followup was on July 1. The 2nd week in June my wife was having back surgery and my stress level was extreme. This caused a hemorhage in my left eye which rendered me blind in what had been my good eye. I decided to wait for the followup. When I went back to Triad Retina oon July 1st, I explained that I had had a hemorhage and it was not getting better, but I had no immediate funds, a which he laughed and said "We let's hope you get better." He offered no alternatives. My left eye took a year to heal, I felt I desparate to try and return to my 25 year career in commercial printing but my sight was lacking. I was at a dead end. My house had been foreclosed, death would have been a good option, but we had children ages of 4 and 8. I contacted Services for the Blind. They sent me to a different Opthamologist who resumed my laser treatments and I got a job. I had a severe panic within 6 months and which caused hemhoraging in my right eye. I was rendered legally blind by my new Opthamologist. He scheduled me for outpatient surgery 3 days later, on a Thursday. They gave me the same injection as Matthews. I never saw that needle which was for an anesthetic so they could replace all the hemmorage, blood filled fluid in my eye with clear fluid. The next day I went for a checkup, they removed my eyepatch and I could see an eye chart, pretty far down on the chart. I am indebted Services for the Blind and not Dr. Matthews. My advice is to not go there. Unless you want to be treated like unfortunate livestock.

Very good experience with Dr. Matthews. He and his staff are professional and efficient. I am very comfortable that he watches out for my retina issues. High level of expertise.

They treat my 88 y/o diabetic mother exceptionally well. She is pleased with her care. Thank you!

Dr. Samara is EXCELLENT! I would Highly Recommend Him! He's My Daddy's Eye Doctor.