You (and everyone) has a choice to go private or public.
Private wil mean you pay for everything and if you have private insurance some or all of the hospital charges (not the initial specialist visit or pre-tests) will be covered by that insurance. Health insurance is really hospital insurance, except for a few extras like dental and glasses. ie doctor visits and tests that are conducted prior to hospitilisation are not covered by your insurance - it only covers whiel you are admitted to the hospital.
Both my parents have cataracts to varying degrees and both were assessed for surgery based on the severity of the cataracts.
My parents are seeing the same doctor and specialist - my mother has had both done, within about 4 months of diagnosis with about 8 weeks between each eye. My father was diagnosed within about 3 months of my mother and he is on a list but it is not a severe case and he still hasn't been done after 18 months. His specialist quoted him $1500 per eye out of pocket if he went private (my parents do not have insurance) but Dad decided against it as he doesn't feel it is effecting his eyesight yet.
Get a referral from your GP to an eye specialist and actively ask to be put on 'the list' ...sometimes doctors suggest you wait and see but if there is a wait i think you're better to be on the list and ready if you have to be.
And try to carry sunglasses with you all the time ...and ask for any other suggestions from the specialist to help you through the wait.
Oh - and mention everyway it effects you - just to emphasise you need to be on the list.
Good luck
