New Patient Appointments
To make an appointment, you will need you to have a referral from your GP or Optometrist to the specialist. This will give the specialist important information regarding your eye problem and general health and enable them to triage appointments if the condition is urgent. A referral is also necessary for your claim to be submitted to Medicare for your rebate. Referrals are valid for 12 months if obtained from a GP or Optometrist, and 3 months if obtained from a Specialist.
Registration Form
Our reception team will usually send you a Patient Registration Form prior to your appointment. Please fill this in and bring it with you to save you time on the day. Alternately, try to come 10 minutes before your appointment so that you can fill it out when you arrive. You can also download a Patient Registration Form to complete before your appointment.
What should I bring to my appointment?
You will need to bring;
How long will my first appointment take?
Please allow 90 minutes for your initial appointment. You will see our orthoptist (clinical assistant) first who will assess your vision and intra-ocular pressure, possibly perform some diagnostic tests and will usually instil dilating drops. You will need to wait at least 20 minutes for the dilating drops to work.
Can I drive home after my appointment?
It may take up to 2-3 hours for your vision to return to normal after instillation of the dilating drops, so it is preferable to avoid driving during this time. If you bring sunglasses this will help to minimize the glare. It is recommended that you have someone drive you to this appointment as your vision may be blurred from the eye drops.
Consultation Fees
There will be a fee associated with all consultations with your eye specialist. Payment is required on the day of consultation.
Medicare rebates are available, and our reception team can process your Medicare claim directly on the day. There are discounts for Pensioners and Health Care Card holders. DVA Gold Card holders are fully covered by Veterans Affairs.
Minor Procedures and Diagnostic Tests: These may be required by your specialist on the day for immediate treatment and management of your condition. Additional fees are charged for these tests and procedures, and some of these fees are not claimable from Medicare. Please ask our staff or your doctor if you would like more information on these costs at your appointment
Our admin team will provide a full estimate of costs and details for all surgery bookings with your surgeon.
Payment methods
Your specialist accepts cash, personal cheques, EFTPOS and credit cards, however they prefer that payments be made by card rather than cash if possible please. Visa and Mastercard are accepted but not American Express or Diners cards.
Do you prescribe glasses?
It is suggested that you see your optometrist to have your glasses updated or prescribed.
Privacy Statement
Your specialist will endeavour to provide you with optimal medical care, which requires them to collect your personal and health information. Please read the full privacy policy here.
Urgent conditions after hours
After hours, if you have an urgent condition and are unable to contact the clinic or see your practitioner, please visit the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital in East Melbourne. Their telephone number is 03 9929 8666.