FAQ
Do I need a referral?
Yes you will need a current referral from your GP or optometrist. Most referrals are current for 12 months from the date of issue. If you are unsure if you need a new referral please call our helpful admin team.
What happens if I don’t have a current referral?
Unfortunately Medicare will not pay their rebate.
How do I make an appointment?
Once you have organised a referral please call the site of choice to make an appointment. We often have a high demand for patients to be seen in a short space of time, so it is helpful if you can provide as much information as possible regarding your eye problem to enable us to offer an appointment in a timely manner.
Our Paediatric ophthalmologist will ask that all referrals be sent to the practice before an appointment is made. This allows us to triage the referral and patients are seen in a time frame that meets their referral needs.
Once an appointment has been made all new patients to our practice are sent a confirmation letter outlining what you will need to bring to your appointment and what to expect.
I’ve got a surgery date, but don’t know when to arrive, when will I find out the time of my surgery?
The day hospital will contact you via text message or phone call two (2) days prior to advise on your arrival time and fasting instructions.
You will receive a text message from Eyemedics three (3) days prior to remind you of your post operative appointment, please don’t confuse this with your surgery admission time.
I have a long way to travel for my surgery, can I nominate an admission time?
Unfortunately, the order of the surgery list is dependent on:
- the type of surgery
- the patient’s general health
- the eye the surgery is being operated on.
We are therefore unable to nominate a time, we can put a note against your surgery (e.g. as late as possible) however unlike other appointments, we are unable to guarantee a time.
I have a post operative appointment on the same day as my surgery, can I wait at the day hospital?
Once the day hospital have discharged you from surgery you will need to leave the facility.
You can go home and return later for the appointment, if you choose to wait at Eyemedics, please be aware that you may not be seen any earlier.
Can I drive after my visit?
It is often best not to drive after your appointment because you may have dilating drops administered to your eye. These dilating drops dilate your pupil and allow your ophthalmologist to fully assess your eye. The dilating drops may take 1-2 hours (sometimes longer) to wear off and we also recommend that you bring sunglasses with you to avoid the glare when you leave.
Can I catch a taxi home after my surgery?
On discharge you are required to have someone pick you up from the day hospital and stay with you overnight.
There are some exceptions where you are not required to have someone stay overnight. If you’re unsure, please contact the surgery team.
How long will my appointment take?
Please allow up to 2 hours for your initial appointment for us to be able to fully assess your eyes. We will always try to advise you of the length of time for subsequent visits.
Will I be required to pay for my appointment on the day?
Yes, we do ask that you pay your account in full. EFTPOS facilities are available. We can then lodge your account electronically with Medicare on your behalf. If you have registered your bank account details with Medicare they will reimburse you within a few days.
Is the gap payment the same as my co-payment with the health fund?
No, there are three components that contribute to the cost of the surgery:
- the surgeon fee
- the anaesthetist
- the hospital fee (excess, co-payment)
The gap payment we receive is the surgeon fee, please contact your health fund to discuss any excess payment you may have, which will be paid to the day hospital on the day of surgery. The anaesthetist rooms will contact you if there are any fees to pay.
For those patients that are self funded, the three fees are outlined on your surgery fees summary letter. If unsure, please contact the surgery team.
Why is the fee an estimate only?
Your doctor can only estimate the cost of your in hospital or day surgery elective procedure in advance. If there are additional surgical items performed during surgery, these may incur an additional fee. The surgery team will be in contact with you after your surgery if there is anything additional to pay
Can I get my own drops to use after surgery?
Unfortunately, the day hospitals’ policy is to supply drops to each patient following surgery
If you have reached the safety net, please contact the pharmacy that has supplied the medication and they will amend the invoice for you prior to payment.
Do you prescribe glasses?
We suggest that you see your optometrist to get your glasses updated or prescribed. Dr Susie Luu or Dr Katie Billing will prescribe glasses for children only.
What should I do in case of an emergency?
Patients who have had surgery with one of our Ophthalmologists will be given their after hours contact details.
New patients with urgent problems should ask their referring practitioner or optometrist to contact us directly to arrange an emergency appointment.
If you are unable to contact us or see your practitioner first we suggest that you visit your local emergency room at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, Flinders Medical Centre, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital or The Lyell McEwin Hospital.
Who will I see when I come into Eyemedics for an appointment?
On arrival your first point of contact will be our reception staff. Once your file is ready one of our Orthoptist’s, Nurses or Ophthalmic Assistants will take you into their consulting room to complete your medical history and ask the reason for attending. A vision and pressure check will be done and from your referral they may also undertake other tests before you see your Ophthalmologist.
What is an Orthoptist or Ophthalmic Assistant?
Orthoptist's are university trained allied health practitioners. Ophthalmic Assistants are trained in orthoptics' by a fully trained Orthoptist (usually done by the Ophthalmic practice you are attending). An Orthoptist or Ophthalmic Assistant can
- Assess your vision
- Measure the power in your glasses
- Measure the pressure in your eyes (a glaucoma check)
- Perform a Visual Field Test
- Perform colour vision assessment
- Perform many other assessments that will help diagnose and treat your condition. For example at our practice an Orthoptist or Ophthalmic Assistant is competent is performing angiograms, Photography of the eye (OCT, Pentacam, Fundus photos) measuring the eye for cataract surgery.
- Answer many of your questions
Booked in for Your Eye Surgery? Here’s everything you need to prepare in advance: Important Pre-Surgery Information.
