Cataract surgery on Medicare?

[cat_mioux]

Last time I had my eyes tested I was told I have cataracts in both eyes. I can't afford to pay for the surgery so I'll have to go on the waiting list.

How do I get on the waiting list?

Can OPSM give me a referral or do I need to see my GP?

How long is the waiting list? Will they do both eyes at the same time?

[purple_haize]

That is how it effects me too Cat, it is the cataractsm I have terrible trouble with my eyes.

From what I could gather from the eye specialist there is a place down in Dandenong part of the eye hospital that is in the city, so there is more than one place.

I dont have that sort of money so will have to stay on the list.

[lind9650]

Ms. Cat, I live in a small country town, but with three Hospitals around me. My Optometrist refered me to the Eye Specialist that has a clinic in the next town, when he saw that new glasses would not help because of cataracts. I was put on a waiting list, waited four month and had one eye done, then three month later the other one.

I had to pay $128.- for the referal, then $68.- per visit, but they claimed through Medicare and by the time I got home half the payment was paid back to me from Medicare.

Unfortunately the removal of the cataracts are only a temporary help to me. I have Macular Dgeneration and am slowly going blind.

Shop around and see if there is a hospital near you that works with an Eye Surgeon. Ask your GP, he should have all the information.

Good luck for good results, Erica

[cat_mioux]

Thanks Mrs Freddie and purple. I'll see my GP in a week or two and ask for a referral.

I guess my minor accident has proved to be a kick in the butt.

[purple_haize]

Erica, how long ago did you have your cataracts done?

[cat_mioux]

Erica I'm sorry to hear the cataract surgery didn't fully fix your eye problems.

Can I ask if you are on a pension of some kind or rather, a health care card? I'd love it if I was only out of pocket a $100 or $200. I wonder if living in a smaller country town means a shorter waiting list than in the city?

[purple_haize]

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@cat_mioux wrote:

Erica I'm sorry to hear the cataract surgery didn't fully fix your eye problems.

Can I ask if you are on a pension of some kind or rather, a health care card? I'd love it if I was only out of pocket a $100 or $200. I wonder if living in a smaller country town means a shorter waiting list than in the city?

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It probably does mean that Cat, Erica I think lives down East Gippsland..............I asked her how long ago she had it done, she hasnt answered yet, if it was a long time ago, well that explains why it is cheap.

[bluecat*dancing]

Go see your GP , Mioux and get a referral to a specialist. I think my mum had hers done at Epworth as a public patient.

[lind9650]

Purple, I had my cataracts done about 14 month ago, by Dr. David Ehrlich.

Ms. Cat, yes I am on tthe Age Pension, but being on a halth card or paying into Medicare should not make any difference.

[purple_haize]

Erica, thanks for that, will tell my eye specialist when I go back.

I am going blind in my left eye due to glaucoma.............this getting old is the pits.

[cat_mioux]

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@lind9650 wrote:

Purple, I had my cataracts done about 14 month ago, by Dr. David Ehrlich.

Ms. Cat, yes I am on tthe Age Pension, but being on a halth card or paying into Medicare should not make any difference.

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Thanks for that Erica. 🙂

Purple best wishes for you too.