Questions

How often should I have my eyes tested?

For most of our patients, we recommend a full checkup every 2 years. Others need more frequent checks. People whose risk of glaucoma is higher than average are usually checked annually, and most contact lens wearers should have a check every 6 months.

How soon should my kids get their eyes tested?

The Optometrists Association of Australia recommends testing for children from 3 years of age. We find that with most kids, we're much more likely to achieve a useful outcome from 5 years of age. We recommend your kids have 2-yearly checkups from just before they start school. This allows early intervention of any eye concerns that may affect your child's learning. We also recommend that when you make appointments for them, early in the day is better (even if it means missing an hour or so of school), as many children become tired and less cooperative in the afternoons. We welcome siblings to your child's test, but they can distract the child being examined, so you might consider having them looked after elsewhere.

Click here to find out more about our Free Sunnies for Kids programme

How much does an eye test cost?

We charge $65.65 for a comprehensive eye examination, which usually takes about 45 minutes. Shorter checks (not recommended when you're visiting us for the very first time) are $32.85.

For adults, we also recommend a peripheral vision test at your first and second comprehensive consultations (these are every 2 years), then every 4 years thereafter. This allows a more complete assessment of your overall vision, which helps to screen for neurological disease such as glaucoma. A peripheral vision test is $62.60, and again, 85% is refundable through Medicare. As part of routine vision testing, this test is only charged to you if there is a clinical reason for doing it - something that would make you more likely to have a peripheral vision problem, such as a family history of glaucoma. If it is purely routine, we don't charge at all for this test.

Medicare increases the consultation fees on 1 November every year. You will receive 85% of your consultation fee as a refund from Medicare, and we make the refund procedure very easy for you.

If you have a pension card, DVA Gold Card or a Health Care Card, we will bulk bill your consultation. This means that there is no out-of-pocket fee for your consultation.

We also offer a retinal photography service, which gives better detail and a permanent photographic record of the health of your eyes. It also offers insights into your cardiovascular risk profile and we'll give you a copy of your photos on CD. The fee for this service is $25 (concession $20), which is charged once only. We recommend you then have (complimentary) retinal photographs retaken every 2 years - more frequently for cataract patients and those with a higher risk of glaucoma.

If you would like to find out more, please contact us.

Will wearing glasses make my eyes worse?

No. People in their 40s who start wearing reading glasses often notice that they quickly become dependent on them. It's easy to assume that this must be that the glasses are causing the deterioration. The truth is that our eyes do become more dependent on glasses after 40 - whether you choose to wear them earlier or later makes no difference to the rate of natural deterioration. Also, people who wear reading glasses can suddenly see how much clearer their reading can be, so they're likely to be less tolerant of their previously bearable - but blurry - vision.

Will I damage my eyes by wearing incorrect glasses?

No. When wearing out-of-date glasses, somebody else's glasses when you've misplaced your own, or no glasses at all when you "should" wear some, the worst thing you risk is a headache, temporary blur, or depth perception problems (care should be taken when driving).

Smoking & Your Eyes

We all know that smoking can kill you, but did you know it could make you go blind? Smoking is a major risk factor in the development of macular degeneration, a very common and often devastating eye disease. If you're a smoker, you're 6 times more likely than a non-smoker to suffer from macular degeneration. Smoking has also been implicated in the development of cataracts, and can certainly cause cardiovascular problems that can contribute to bleeding inside the eye. Yet another reason to give it up.

Your old glasses - just chuck 'em out?

No, give the gift of sight to needy people in third world countries. We'll send your old glasses overseas via the Optometrists Association programme - just bring them in and we'll do the rest!

Sun Care

The little bits of sun exposure you - and your children - receive every day will all add up. Cumulative damage causes common diseases like pterygia (fleshy "growths" across the front of the eye) and cancers of the eyelids. Potentially lethal diseases like malignant melanoma of the eye are also caused by sun exposure.
Wear a hat and always wear sunglasses. They don't have to be expensive. Find out about our Free Sunnies for Kids programme.

What to do if your eyes are red

If you have an obvious reason, like a recent swim in an over-chlorinated pool, just use some lubricating drops such as Refresh, and they should bounce back to normal within a few hours. Refrigerating the drops will help your eyes to feel less inflamed as well.

If, however, you don't know the reason, or if you also have pain in your eye, or discharge, or if light hurts your eye, call us on 3368 3644 straight away. The practice number diverts through to Julie's mobile phone after hours, and we would rather you call immediately than leave it until the next business day. Some "red eyes" may be infections, which can leave you with permanent vision problems if not treated immediately.

Red eyelids are very common. Besides being unsightly, they are often linked to other problems, such as sore eyes and intermittent vision problems. See our section on dry eyes.

Eye drops for red eyes

If your eyes are red, there is a reason they're red. Using drops you can buy at the chemist or supermarket that are specifically for the "relief of red, sore eyes" is not recommended on a regular basis. This is a band-aid approach which is very useful if you HAVE to have white eyes immediately (eg for your wedding). Otherwise, you're far better off working out WHY your eyes are red, and treating the cause.
When used regularly, drops that "take the red out" also have the potential - over time - to make your eyes permanently red. Nice! They also have the potential to cause glaucoma, although this is extremely rare.

If your vision changes suddenly

Call us straight away. Ring the practice number, 3368 3644, which will reach Julie 24 hours a day.
Sudden vision changes may need attention urgently. If you notice flashing lights in your peripheral vision, and/or "a shower of sooty specks" floating around in your vision, you may have a retinal tear or detachment. We would need to dilate your pupils to diagnose these or rule them out, so please don't drive after your examination for about 4 hours, and please bring your sunglasses.
If you are short-sighted (meaning your close-up vision is better than your distance vision), your risk of developing retinal tears and detachments is higher than in other people. As sudden knocks and jolts can contribute to retinal tearing, you're best advised to avoid bungee-jumping. If you play contact sports, simply be aware of the higher risk of eye injury, and contact us immediately if you suspect you have a problem.