- Referrals from your family doctor or optometrist last for 12 months from the date of your first consultation. Referrals from your specialist last 3 months.
- You can see your ophthalmologist without a current referral but you will be unable to take your receipt to Medicare Australia for your subsidy as they will only pay on a current referral.
- No referral also makes diagnosis and treatment more difficult as your ophthalmologist will not have a current history and reason for your visit.
- Your referral describes the eye problem you are currently suffering from and also provides your ophthalmologist with a list of current medications and your surgical and medical history.
- This information assists the ophthalmologist and clinical staff in providing you with the best course of treatment.
- Your referral may expire during a course of treatment for example, after cataract surgery, it may expire during the post operative course. Even though you are being treated for the same condition, you will still need to get a new referral from your family doctor or optometrist in order for you to claim the Medicare subsidy. Our reception staff will advise you when your referral needs to be renewed.
- Your ophthalmologist may request to see you again in 12 months or 2 years for a check up and chances are your health status will have changed and this will be reflected in a new referral from your doctor or optometrist.
- During the 12 month period of your current referral, if you should develop a different eye problem, you will need a new referral from your family doctor, specialist or optometrist. This new referral will describe the new condition you are suffering from. It is a Medicare Australia requirement that a new condition calls for a new referral in order for you to claim your subsidy.
- If you choose to change to a different ophthalmologist for your ongoing eye treatment, you will need a new referral as your new ophthalmologist will be unfamiliar with your past history and the reason for your attendance.
WHY DO I NEED A NEW REFERRAL? I'VE BEEN SEEING THE SAME EYE DOCTOR FOR YEARS
WHY DO I NEED A DRIVER AND DARK GLASSES?
- For your ophthalmologist to examine the inside of your eye, he needs your pupil (like a camera aperture) to be fully dilated (open). Drops will be instilled in your eye to cause this to happen. With your pupil fully dilated, your ophthalmologist uses the special slit lamp to examine inside your eye/s. Just imagine the effect of a camera flash lasting at least an hour. You won’t be able to see clearly and the glare from the outdoors will make your vision uncomfortable. Dark glasses will assist with the discomfort and a driver is for your safety while you are unable to see clearly. The time taken for your pupils to constrict after dilation varies from person to person so you may be waiting for quite a while before you can drive.
WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING?
- A new referral if required. Please ring our clinic if you are unsure and reception staff will be able to tell you.
- An updated list of your current medication
- Your most recent glasses
- Don’t wear your contact lenses for your appointment
- Current Medicare card, concession card, DVA card and private health insurance card
- Cash, cheque or credit card (not AMEX or Diners) for payment on the day.
HOW LONG WILL MY VISIT TAKE?
- We generally advise patients up to two (2) hours, though this can vary due to the tests being required. We try to keep patients informed if there is a delay.
- If you decide to book for surgery, your time in the clinic increases due to further tests and the informed clinical and financial consent process.
- Please allow sufficient time in the clinic for these eventualities and we recommend that you do not book an appointment elsewhere within this time frame.
WHAT ADDITIONAL COSTS WILL THERE BE?
- Apart from the fee for your consultation, depending on the reason for your visit, further tests may be required to assist diagnosis of your condition. These tests do attract additional fees but you will be informed of the cost beforehand.
CAN I GET LASER EYE SURGERY SO I DON'T NEED GLASSES?
- Cairns Eye Surgery uses lasers to treat medical conditions. We do not perform Lasik (refractive surgery) typically used in younger adults however our eye surgeons perform refractive intraocular lens surgery with the latest premium multifocal lens or mono focal lenses if appropriate in those older than 50 years of age if appropriate. We can assess and discuss your suitability for refractive surgical options.
