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Initial Consult Expectations
What to Expect During an Initial Ophthalmology Consultation
During your initial ophthalmology consultation, you can expect a thorough examination of your eyes and a discussion about your medical history. One of our team will evaluate your vision using various tests, such as visual acuity tests, which measure your ability to see letters or numbers on a chart from a specific distance. They will also perform a slit-lamp examination to examine the structures of your eye, including the cornea, iris, lens, and retina. Other specialized diagnostic tests will also be performed, as required.
What to bring to your appointment:
- A current referral from your optometrist, GP, or specialist. This can also be sent directly from your treating clinician to our rooms. A referral is optional for our refractive patients.
- Private health insurance details
- A list of all medications you are on (prescription, over the counter, vitamins, supplements and herbal medications).
- Glasses if you wear them
- Medicare, DVA, and Pension cards
- Any relevant medical records or reports relating to your eyes. This includes previous eye exams, prescriptions, information on any previous surgeries. These may contain important information for our doctors.
- List of known allergies
- A list of questions you may wish to ask on the day
Further information for our patients
For lens and refractive laser consults you will need to have someone drive you to/from the appointment, as your eyes will need to be dilated for the exam.
Because of the importance of an accurate assessment of the strength of your eyes, please do not wear soft contact lenses for 48 hours before the appointment and hard contact lenses for a minimum of 2 weeks.
A referral from your optometrist or doctor is optional, please bring this in if available. At your free laser assessment our optometrists can provide a letter of referral to our ophthalmology team.
During your initial ophthalmology consultation, please ask any questions you need to gain a better understanding of your eye health and any potential treatments or recommendations. Here are some questions you may consider asking:
- What is the current state of my eye health?
- Are there any signs of eye diseases or conditions?
- What are the treatment options available for my condition?
- Are there any lifestyle changes I can make to improve my eye health?
- How often should I schedule follow-up appointments?
Remember, no question is too small or insignificant. We are here to provide you with the information and guidance you need to maintain good eye health.
After your initial ophthalmology consultation, we will discuss the results of your examination and provide you with recommendations based on your specific needs. Our ophthalmologists will send a letter summarising this to your referring optometrist or doctor.
If any further tests or procedures are required, our ophthalmologist will explain the reasons behind them and guide you through the process. It is important to ask any questions you may have at this stage to ensure that you have a complete understanding of your eye health and the next steps to be taken.
Following your initial ophthalmology consultation, it is important to take the necessary follow-up steps to maintain good eye health. This may include scheduling any recommended tests, procedures, or follow-up appointments.
Once your treatment is complete and you no longer need to follow up with our doctors, you will be referred back to:
- Your local ophthalmologist, optometrist or regular eye care provider.
- And/or your local general practitioner.
Please notify our office as soon as possible if you are unable to attend your appointment, so we can reschedule and offer your appointment time to other patients waiting for treatment.
About our fees
Fees
Our practice is a private billing practice. We will inform you of any out of pocket costs before treatment, so you can make an informed financial decision.
If you have any concerns or questions about the fee estimate or any other billing matters, please reach out to our staff. They will be more than happy to assist you and guide you through this process. We will provide detailed explanations regarding the charges and your available rebates, ensuring that you have a clear understanding of the financial aspects involved before making a decision to proceed with a procedure.
We accept Visa and Mastercard credit and debit cards for payment. We also offer the option of direct bank transfer. Payment plans and afterpay are available for laser eye surgery and refractive lens surgery.
We now accept Gem Visa Credit Cards also.
More about our fees
For surgical procedures we accept all major private health insurance programs. Our staff are available to assist you with your insurance claim, making the process smoother for you. There is likely to be a difference between our surgical fee and what is covered by Medicare and your health insurance provider. This will vary depending on the proposed treatment and your private health coverage. For cataract and lens surgery this will be affected by the choice of lens, particularly whether you decide to have a premium or a standard lens inserted.
We will provide you with an accurate cost before any surgery, ensuring that you have full knowledge of the cost of any recommended treatment. Payment in full is required before surgery.
Outside our fees there may be additional costs for surgical treatments from hospital fees, and anesthetic fees. Your private health insurance will also provide coverage for these, however there may be additional out of pocket expenses.
Full payment is required on the day of appointment. We will send your claim to medicare and the Medicare rebate will be paid directly into your nominated bank account, generally within 2 working days. Private health insurance does not cover in office consultation costs, unless you are a hospital inpatient.
Click here for detailed laser eye surgery and refractive lens surgery cost information.
For pensioners we offer a reduced fee for treatments. The exact amount will depend upon the proposed treatment, our staff will provide information regarding treatment cost and any out of pocket expenses.
We provide comprehensive care for patients with Workers Compensation and work-related injuries. You will be required to settle your account on the day, and claim the consultation from your insurer.
Patients and their families who have served in the military and are under the care of Veteran Affairs may receive support from the Australian Government’s Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA). This department offers a variety of benefits to both current and former military personnel, as well as their families. We accept DVA gold. For DVA white and blue, patients are required to settle their account on the day and claim the reimbursement from Veteran Affairs.
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Surgery Costs
Laser Eye Surgery
Our standard cost for laser eye surgery is $3250 per eye for LASIK and SMILE® Pro.
The cost of PRK is $2575 per eye.
The cost of laser blended vision (PRESBYOND®) to treat both the need for reading and distance glasses is $3650 per eye. The higher cost reflects the advanced nature of the treatment which requires an intensive work-up, and specialized equipment. We were the first clinic in Sydney offering this treatment.
Our costs are non-inclusive of any drops required post operatively. Any additional consults required after laser surgery for your ongoing care are free of charge and our doctors provide a free 24/7 on call service for our laser patients in the immediate post-operative period.
Occasionally laser enhancements are required because of minor persistent refractive error or regression of your eyes after the procedure. We are committed to ensuring our patients have the clearest possible glasses free vision, and will perform this as a complimentary service for 2 years after the initial laser surgery.
Lens Based Surgery
Non-laser lens based refractive surgery costs around $3000-$6200 per eye, the cost varies depending upon the best lens selected for your needs. There may be additional fees from the day surgery facility and for the anaesthetist, depending upon your private health coverage.
While glasses may seem like a more affordable solution compared with refractive eye surgery, the cumulative costs of frames, lenses, and regular eye exams can add up significantly over time. Laser eye surgery and refractive lens based surgeries offer a cost-effective, long-term solution that eliminates the need for ongoing optical expenses.
In the unlikely event that the desired refractive outcome isn’t achieved we offer complimentary laser enhancements for our refractive lens exchange and premium cataract surgery patients, for up to 1 year following the initial surgery.
Private Health Rebates
Most private health insurance providers do not offer rebates for laser eye surgery in Australia.
Policies offering rebates are:
Bupa (Ultimate Cover)
- Coverage: Bupa Ultimate provides comprehensive coverage for LASIK, PRK, and SMILE procedures.
- Waiting Period: A 3-year waiting period applies for full coverage.
Medibank Private (Hospital & Extras Gold Cover):
- Coverage: Medibank Private’s Gold Cover includes LASIK and PRK procedures.
- Rebate: A $3500 rebate is provided after a 3-year waiting period.
- Waiting Period: A 2-year waiting period applies.
- Lifestyle Extras: Provides a $600 rebate per eye.
- Super Extras: Offers a $900 rebate per eye.
Defence Health:
- Waiting Period: 1-year waiting period.
- Rebate: Defence Health provides a $1500 rebate for laser eye surgery.
Doctors Health Fund:
- Waiting Period: 1-year waiting period.
- Rebate: $800 per eye
Payment Plans
Your vision is our passion
We aim to care for our patients compassionately in a technologically cutting edge environment using the latest advances in clinical research.