How long will my appointment take?
Please allow 1 hour for your initial consultation. You need to allow time for investigations to be performed. Quite often patients will require their pupils to be dilated which can add to longer waiting times.
What do I need to bring with me to my appointment?
· Letter of referral
· Current glasses used for reading and driving
· Medicare, Pension or Veteran’s Affairs cards
· Private Health Insurance details (this will be needed if you are being booked in for eye surgery)
· A list of current medications and medical history from your local doctor
· Any information including scans or reports from your previous Ophthalmologists or Optometrists you have seen in the past
· Sunglasses to reduce glare after pupil dilation
Why do I need a referral to see the Ophthalmologist?
A current referral from your GP or optometrist is important as this will help to keep your Ophthalmologist up-to-date with your health conditions. This also allows you to claim a rebate from Medicare. The referral can be brought with on the day of your appointment or faxed, emailed or posted prior to you seeing the doctor. If you have a referral from another specialist this will last for 3 months, if your referral is from a General Practitioner or Optometrist this will last for 12 months. If you attend your appointment without a current referral you will still be seen by the doctor, but all monies paid on the day will be an out-of-pocket expense to you. There will be no Medicare rebate.
The cost of your consultation will vary depending on the type of investigations/procedures performed. We ask that all accounts be paid in full at the time of your consultation. This will then be lodged electronically to Medicare on your behalf by our receptionists to claim the rebate. If you have registered your bank details with Medicare you will received your rebate within 24 to 48 hours.
How much will my appointment cost?
Your Private Health Insurance will only cover you for an in-hospital procedure and even then you may still incur a co-payment.
Does my Private Health Insurance cover any costs of my appointment?
Can I drive after my appointment?
A number of patients will require drops to dilate their pupils. These drops blur the vision and make it difficult to drive for up to 1 – 2 hours, therefore, we suggest you bring a driver. You may also like to bring a pair of sunglasses to the appointment to reduce glare if your pupils have been dilated.
Will the Ophthalmologist prescribed glasses?
Your glasses will be prescribed by your Optometrist.
An Ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who has undertaken additional specialist training in the diagnosis and management of disorders of the eye and visual system. Ophthalmology training equips eye specialists to provide the full spectrum of eye care, including medical treatment and complex microsurgery.
Optometrists are eye care professionals who examine eyes, give advice on visual problems, and prescribe and fit glasses or contact lenses. If eye disease is detected e.g. glaucoma, they will refer patients to an Ophthalmologist for further management and appropriate treatment.