on 09-04-2013 05:18 PM
I went to have my eyes checked today at the local optometry shop. I knew my eyes were getting bad but he tells me the cataract in my left eye has gone pretty bad and has referred me to an ophthalmologist. I will ring her tomorrow, but she is a private Dr and doesn't bulk bill. I have heard rumours about the cost involved so I will be looking for public I suppose?.
I did a search on here for cataracts and it seems many on here have had the op. Can I get some advice please.
does anyone know -
how long the waiting list is for the initial consultation? private / public
how long the waiting list is for public operation?
how to get onto the waiting list?
how much it costs to get done privately?
Thanks in advance.
on 10-04-2013 03:46 PM
I was given an opthalmologist appointment within half an hour of seeing my GP, (not for cataracts). They push you in ahead of others because it is so important.
Your eye is surely one of your most precious body bits. If you don't have the money at hand, sell some furniture, your car, anything.
Quite a simplistic solution. We live in the country, no car = being totally isolated. Our furniture is so old no one would want it. Unfortunately life is never that black and white.
on 10-04-2013 03:52 PM
Quite a simplistic solution. We live in the country, no car = being totally isolated. Our furniture is so old no one would want it. Unfortunately life is never that black and white.
Well, yes it is. I have lived it.
on 15-04-2013 10:20 PM
I went to the ophthalmologist today. The costs in case anyone is interested:
Pre-Op Lens measure = $250, Medicare Rebate = $88.15
Hospital = $1,890, Medicare Rebate $0
Surgeon Fees = $1,470, Medicare Rebate = $570.50
Anaesthetist = approx $300
So, a total of $3,251.35 after rebates.
She will do it on 1st May for the above costs.
The waiting list for Public is evidently 2 years, but this may have been coloured a little by the Dr in favour of her doing it??? How would I find out the public waiting list in my area?
The other thing I didn't know - the replacement is 'hard-wired' ie it's either long distance or reading but not both. So, if you choose long distance then you still need glasses for reading and vice versa.
Those who have had it done - which lens option did you go for?
on 16-04-2013 01:30 AM
Rabbit, sorry for the very late post but I can't sleep. My time on the waiting list was only 10 months. Call the Day Surgery Booking Office at your local hospital and they will tell you. I know a number of people who have had this and no one has waited longer than a year.
on 16-04-2013 10:07 AM
thanks jean2579 - which lens option did you go for? Long Distance or reading?
the way she described it was that long distance was for driving - about 5 metres.
on 16-04-2013 12:20 PM
thanks jean2579 - which lens option did you go for? Long Distance or reading?
the way she described it was that long distance was for driving - about 5 metres.
Rabbit, I had the long distance one. I have had a large number of complications with mine, but I hope that yours goes smoothly.
on 16-04-2013 01:38 PM
Rabbit, I had the long distance one. I have had a large number of complications with mine, but I hope that yours goes smoothly.
what sort of complications? could they have been caused by a 'learner' doing the Op? It can occur I suppose - especially in the public system where a lot of hospitals are training new doctors.
on 16-04-2013 04:04 PM
Rabbit my surgeon was an excellent one. My problems could have happened at any time. They think that the op just may have sped up the issues. I have just come from another appointment and he found that I have retinal haemorring (not sure how to spell that, but it is bleeding behind the new lens) looks like it will take a lot of work and is very rare, so don't worry yours will be one of the 99.9% that is fine.
on 16-04-2013 04:13 PM
Jean, maybe your issue isn't as rare as the Doctor would like you to believe, I know of 2 men who have had the same problem post surgery.
on 16-04-2013 05:03 PM
Freddie, what was their outcome? Mine has degenerated so much in a week that tomorrow I have to go in to have an Angiogram and eye injections. I was told today that complete loss of vision was a real possibility.