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Today we are looking
into eye care in Australia, here most people go to an optometrist for routine
eye exams. This is the primary eye‑care provider for checking vision, detecting
early eye disease, and prescribing glasses or contact lenses. You don’t need a
referral, and Medicare usually covers the cost of standard eye tests.
Generally, Australians
will see an Optometrist every two years until the age of 65 when it drops to
every year. However, if you have a medical condition such as diabetes you will
need to have your eyes checked every year.
At an appointment
your vision n will be checked if needed they will prescribe glasses or contacts.
You will also be screen
for diseases like glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration and a retinal
imaging photo will be taken. If needed, you will be refer you to an
ophthalmologist.
Medicare covers most
routine eye tests, and many clinics bulk bill, meaning no out‑of‑pocket cost.
General
Practitioners (GPs) can check basic eye symptoms, but if they suspect a vision
problem or eye disease, they will suggest you see an optometrist or refer you
to an ophthalmologist (eye specialist) for medical treatment or surgery.
You
see an ophthalmologist when a disease is detected such as glaucoma, diabetic
eye disease or if you need surgery for something like cataracts.
Children can see an
optometrist every 1–2 years, with the first exam ideally around age 3–4. Some
optometrists recommend a check at the start of each school year to monitor
changes. However, many children only have their eyes checked if someone thinks
there may be a problem.
The cost of seeing an
Ophthalmologist vary depending on, whether you have a referral (needed for
Medicare rebate) and if they charge above the Medicare schedule fee and if it’s
an initial or follow‑up appointment.
If you don’t have
private health insurance, here’s what you can expect:
- Optometrist: Often free (bulk‑billed) or
$50–$120 for extra tests
- Ophthalmologist initial visit: $170–$290
out‑of‑pocket
- Ophthalmologist follow‑up: $100–$215 out‑of‑pocket
- Private surgery: $3,000+
- Public surgery: Free, but with waiting
lists
My new glasses and the check up that picked them was $425 out of pocket- Definitely in the "just gouge them out" level without insurance...
ReplyDeleteI didn't have glasses till about my early 50s, when I began having difficulty reading small letters. It was the typical age-related long-sightedness or hyperopia.
ReplyDeleteNow, in my early 60s, it looks like I have short-sightedness or myopia too, as I found it difficult to read what's written in small letters on TV screens. So my glasses have been changed. And, these glasses are quite expensive.
Here in Bengaluru, recently, there was news that the number of children with myopia has increased over the past few years. I don't know if it has something to do with increased use of mobile phones.
My latest post: India and Denmark: A tale of two very different postal systems
Since Obama-care was implemented here, the costs of regular checks have continued to go up in the States. Fortunately, under Danny's health insurance, we've been able to get eye checks at reasonable rates. Never underestimate the health of one's eyesight, that's for sure, Jo-Anne!
ReplyDeleteSounds like here. I go every year and Medicare and my military supplement pays everything. Plus I go in every six months for those eye plugs for my dry eyes. I go in March.
ReplyDelete