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If you have not had your eyes examined for quite some time you may not be aware of all the tests involved in a comprehensive eye examination. If you are not sure if you need an examination, check your responses to our online Eye Health Checklists. If it has been more than two years since your last eye test, we generally allow 45 minutes to complete a comprehensive consultation. This consultation will involve the following tests:
 
 

The optometrist commences by taking a history of your major visual concerns and documents any prior treatment that you may have had to your eyes or vision. Information about your general health and any medication is important for the evaluation of your eye health. For example, Diabetes or Hypertension can cause characteristic changes to the appearance of the retina that could impact on vision quality. A family history of eye conditions is also determined so that the risk factors for inherited conditions, such as glaucoma, are known.


 
 


Preliminary tests determine your visual acuity, that is, what size letter you can read on an eye chart 6 metres away from you. The light and eye muscle reflexes are screened. You eyes' refraction is then measured. This is the determination of what optical lens will give the clearest focus on the retina of an object that is 6m or further away (distance vision). Whilst this refraction may not be prescribed for you as distance spectacles, it gives the Optometrist an accurate understanding of the eyes' focus. Your refraction may be myopic (short-sighted), hyperopic (long-sighted), astigmatic (mixed) or emmetropic (nil!). Next the consulting room.


The Optometrist looks at your eye muscle balance to determine if there is any underlying eye turn that could cause eye-strain. Because vision is dynamic, we also need to examine how well your eyes will adjust for close objects. Most people older than 45 years will have a different focus prescriptions for close vision and distance vision. From these tests of vision, a prescription for spectacle correction, if required, can be written.

  
 



To facilitate the Optometrist's view of the eye structures, the muscle of the iris may be relaxed with an eye drop to allow the pupil to dilate to a bigger size. Some tests can only be done when the pupils are dilated. The drops generally take 20 minutes to achieve acceptable pupil dilation; however, they do take several hours to wear off. Generally you would be more sensitive to the glare of bright sunlight whilst the pupils are dilated and may experience some blur of vision, especially up close. We realise that pupil dilation can be an inconvenience to you, it is, however, important for a comprehensive assessment of your eye health.		  

"A picture tells a thousand words". Recent technological advancements in eyecare now enable us to capture a digital image of the retina, blood vessels and optic nerve located at the back of your eyes. This simple, painless test takes a few minutes to complete and aids in early detection and management of diseases that can affect both your eyes and overall health. This includes glaucoma, mascular degeneration, diabetes and hypertension.

Your retinal imaging can stored for future reference and gives us the ability to forward them to your GP or ophthalmologist.

For a future of healthy sight, we recommend retinal imaging every two years.		  

Some eye conditions, such as glaucoma, will affect peripheral vision long before central vision is reduced. The most accurate evaluation of your peripheral vision is with computerised perimetry to measure the sensitivity of your field of vision. Screening tests take approximately 4 minutes for each eye and may be incorporated in your initial examination. A full threshold test will take approximately 12 minutes for each eye and requires a separate visit to the practice.		  
 
Computerised corneal topography allows us to take a video image of reflections from the cornea and derive the shape and regularity of the surface. As light is initially focused by the cornea, any distortion in the corneal surface will result in irregularity of vision. Understanding the shape of the corneal surface is also essential for accurate contact lens fitting.		  
 
The detection of any underlying eye disease is paramount to the Optometrist's examination. Your intra-ocular pressure will be measured as a screening test for glaucoma. An inspection of the structure of the eye with a microscope and ophthalmoscope looks for any signs of disease or degeneration.

  
 

The majority of consultation fees charged will attract an 85% rebate from Medicare. Consultation fees are charged at the Medicare scheduled fee. Pensioners, health care card holders and full time students may be bulk-billed if eligible for full Medicare rebate.

  
 

Your private health fund may pay rebate towards the cost of glasses or contact lenses if you have "extras" cover. We are electronically linked to the majority of private health funds so that you need only pay the "gap" between the cost of your glasses or contact lenses and the health fund's rebate.

  
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