Booking an appointment

You may have to call to book yourself an appointment or, your primary carer (Optometrist of GP) or specialist may have made an appointment on your behalf. Please call to confirm the following:
  1. How long you will be at the clinic: Please plan on 1-2 hours, to allow time for tests, and sometimes even treatment, to be performed
  2. For new patients: whether you need to bring a referral letter. To qualify for a Medicare rebate for the consultation fee, a GP or optometrist must refer you to see an ophthalmologist for your condition
  3. For existing patients: whether your current referral is still valid. Referrals from Optometrists and GPs generally expire after 12 months (3 months if from a specialistI. Once this happens, you will need to visit your GP or optometrist to get another referral
  4. Whether you need someone to accompany/drive you home: Depending on your condition, your pupils may be dilated with drops to allow a comprehensive eye examination. As a result, you will have blurry vision and sensitivity to glare/bright light for about 4 to 6 hours. You will be advised not to drive home immediately, or only after a period of 1-2 hours and with the aid of sunglasses
  5. If you need to bring your glasses or glasses script from the optometrist
  6. If you need to stop wearing contact lenses before your appointment
  7. Whether there are likely to be any out-of-pocket costs: There will be fees associated with the consultation, various eye tests and treatment.

Your first visit

When you arrive at the clinic our reception staff will need to gather some personal information. This is necessary for your medical records as well as for billing and future appointments, if required
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You will therefore need to bring with you your
  1. Medicare Card
  2. Pensioner Concession Card or Health Care Card or Veterans Affairs Card
  3. Private Health Fund details, if applicable.

We will also require
  1. a Referral (from a GP, Optometrist or Specialist Doctor)
  2. the name of your General Practitioner,
  3. Optometrist and
  4. a list of all current medications, including any eye medications, vitamins, supplements or herbal medicines
  5. if you wear glasses, you will also be required to bring all of them with you​
  6. Sunglasses (in case your pupils are dilated as part of the examination process)
  7. Payment for any out-of-pocket costs (if applicable)

Your follow-up visit

  1. Ensure that your referral is up-to-date and bring a new referral if it is not
  2. Bring any new glasses you have been prescribed
  3. Ensure you have a list of any new medications you may have commenced

Consultation

Your consultation will be in 2 parts.
  • Initially, the Clinical Assistant will make notes about your symptoms and the reason you have been referred, plus your past, family and medications history. She will also measure your vision, eye pressure as well as other eye measurements. Some scans may also need to be performed, depending on requirements determined by your eye problem and/or symptoms. If required eye drops to dilate your eyes may then be used. This will almost always be the case on your first visit and sometimes on follow-up visits. Please note that dilated pupils will last 3-6 hours and driving will be difficult, unless you are confident and have an adequate pair of sunglasses. If not, please ensure a friend or relative accompanies you on your visit to the clinic, so they can drive you home
  • Following this, you will be seen by the Ophthalmologist/ Eye Specialist. The doctor will first discuss with you the problems you may be having with your vision or eye, or the issues identified by your referring practitioner. He will then review measurements taken by the Clinical Assistant and assess any tests or scans done. Following this, he will perform a full examination of your eye. ​Part of the examination will involve a slit-lamp examination:
After this, the doctor may order further tests if required. If treatment is required, this will be discussed with you and either administered the same day, or an appointment made for treatment to be administered at a subsequent appointment.

When you leave the clinic

  • Ensure you know when your next appointment is and, if there is no follow-up appointment made, that you have been discharged
  • If treatment is required
    • that you understand what the treatment plan entails, for example, eye drops/ tablets, the dosage and how often these have to be taken
    • that you have a prescription for the above
  • ​A letter will be sent at periodic intervals to your referring practitioner and any associated treating doctors or Optometrists
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner