We prefer patient registration forms and referrals are sent prior to the appointment.  Alternatively, please arrive 10min early to complete a Patient Registration form if you are attending the clinic for the first time. Please allow up to 1.5 hours for each appointment as often investigations and treatment is completed in-house at time of consultation where possible.  We appreciate your time is valuable and although we endeavour to run to our appointment schedule at times emergencies may occur which can lead to delays and longer than expected waiting times. We do apologise for any delays you may incur whilst we give all of our patients a high quality of care.

One of our clinical staff will take you through after you have signed in with our friendly receptionists at the front desk. They will check your visual acuity and may perform other tests or scans in line with your condition before you see the eye specialist. Some conditions require dilation of your pupils so the Ophthalmologist can take a proper look inside your eye. The dilation will make your vision blurry for up to 2 hours. We always recommend that you bring a driver for your appointment or you are welcome to wait until you feel confident to drive again. Reversing drops are also available, however, they may cause a headache.

We welcome any feedback or suggestions you may have that will help us improve our service. Positive feedback is also welcome so please tell us if you have had a good experience with our team as we do celebrate our staff success here at Kingswood Eye Centre.  Please feel free to talk to your Doctor or the Practice Manager or contact them in writing either by post, email or fax.

Your medical record is a confidential document.  It is the policy of this practice to maintain the security of personal health information at all times and ensure that this information is only available to authorised members of staff.  All staff members of this practice have signed a confidentiality agreement as a part of their induction to our practice.  If you wish to have your health record transferred reception can provide you with a form that authorises the transfer of your records.

Temporary loss of vision (e.g. like a curtain being pulled over the sight) may be a sign of a Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA). Please contact our rooms immediately for direction.

It is important that you continue to see your doctor for the management of medications prescribed however in certain circumstances you may be able to organise a repeat script over the phone.

In Australia, an Optometrist is a healthcare professional who can examine eyes, prescribe and fit eyeglasses and contact lenses, and detect eye diseases.
An Ophthalmologist, on the other hand, is a medical doctor who specialises in eye and vision care, including the diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases, and they can perform eye surgery.
For more complex eye conditions or surgeries, you would typically be referred to an Ophthalmologist like those supported by Kingswood Eye Centre & Hills Eye Centre.
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Patients are encouraged to see their optometrist for the prescription of glasses. Our Ophthalmologists do not prescribe glasses.

Private Health Insurance will only cover in-hospital procedures and even then, you may still incur a “gap” payment.

You will need a current referral from your GP or optometrist to be able to claim a Medicare rebate.  Most GP/Optometrist referrals are valid for 12 months, however, if your referral is from another Specialist this will only be valid for 3 months.  Please check with our staff if you have a current referral prior to your appointment.

If your appointment is with our Ophthalmic Nurse Practitioner or Clinic Optometrist, you do not need a referral.

Please contact our friendly receptionists if you are experiencing any eye problems that concern you or if you require an urgent appointment. Our receptionists will take notes of your symptoms and your details will be passed on to your treating eye specialist. A team member will usually contact you on the same day or for urgent enquiries within a few hours to advise if you need to be seen by one of our Ophthalmologists.

In the case of an emergency outside of practice hours please contact your local GP or hospital emergency department.

The clinic is a private billing practice and you will incur a co-payment above the Medicare rebate. Our practice policy requires all accounts to be paid in full on the day of consultation including Medicare rebate. Our reception staff will lodge your account to Medicare electronically on your behalf to claim your rebate.  If you have registered your bank details with Medicare you should receive your rebate within 48 hours. We accept cash, Eftpos, Cheques, Credit Card (Amex and American Express may attract a higher processing fee).

Any other tests, treatments or procedures required to reach a diagnosis may attract an additional charge some of which are not claimable through Medicare. Private Health Insurance will only cover in hospital procedures and even then you may still incur a “gap” payment.

If you have any concerns/questions regarding your account please speak with one of our reception staff prior to your consultation, or with your Ophthalmologist at your consultation.

• Please make sure that we have received your referral before your appointment
• Current glasses
• Current list of medication
• Medicare card, Private Health card and Concession cards
• Sunglasses in case your pupils will be dilated