cataracts

[rabbitearbandicoot]

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.

[jean2579]

Hi rabbit. I had the right one done last Friday as a public patient. No hospital costs but did have to pay for consultation with specialist before. Normal visit was $88,, then two special tests cost about $360 of which I got about $100 back from medicare

After first consult I was given some forms to fill in and take to booking office at hospital? I then went on a 12 month waiting list. It did take that long to get to surgery.

Day surgery. Op took about 20 mins but pre op was several hours,then you go home.

It was painless.  The left owned will be done in another 12 months.

It is much faster if you are a private patient but I did not have the thousands quoted to do it.

Good luck.

[margomeoz]

Hi Rabbit I can tell you about the private op.

My husband just had his eye done last week, we are in medibank private.

Out of pocket expenses after medicare refund were

Day hosp. excess    $250.

Anathestic               $250.

Doctor for op.          $750

Total out of pocket   $1250

Free aftercare no other expenses no waiting time.

[rabbitearbandicoot]

Hi rabbit. I had the right one done last Friday as a public patient. No hospital costs but did have to pay for consultation with specialist before. Normal visit was $88,, then two special tests cost about $360 of which I got about $100 back from medicare

After first consult I was given some forms to fill in and take to booking office at hospital? I then went on a 12 month waiting list. It did take that long to get to surgery.

Day surgery. Op took about 20 mins but pre op was several hours,then you go home.

It was painless.  The left owned will be done in another 12 months.

It is much faster if you are a private patient but I did not have the thousands quoted to do it.

Good luck.

Thanks jean2579. I think that's the way I'll have to go. People have told me that it costs over 4k for one eye, and if I had it, I wouldn't mind paying that to get sight back in that eye. I'll ring the specialist today and make the initial appointment - don't know how long it will take to get into see her.

[rabbitearbandicoot]

Thanks margomeoz. 

Unfortunately we had to give the private insurance away 10 years ago.

Do you mean those out of pockets were after refunds from both Medicare and Medibank private?

[jean2579]

Rabbit, when you speak with the doc ask as many questions as you can about after effects of surgery. I didn,t and expected it to be perfect. Big mistake. I know that the majority of people have a complete success, unfortunately I have had complications and my sight is now worse than it was last week. It is possible that it may clear later on, but for now I have decided not to get the left one done.

[rabbitearbandicoot]

I just made an appointment - Monday 2:15. I'm surprised it was so quick.

I'll make sure I ask as many questions as I can think of.

[lyndal1838]

Rabbit, write down the questions you want to ask.  I can guarantee that when you front up to the doctor you will forget half of what you want to know.

When I had to take my elderly father to see several specialists he had plenty of questions before we left home but in the doctors rooms he said he had none.  Luckily I remembered most of the things he want to know.

You are going to pay enough for your consultation so make the most of it.

[lyndal1838]

BTW, it is often quite quick to get in to see an eye specialist.  They generally keep more emergency appointment times vacant than the average specialist as often time is crucial with eye injuries.

My OH got "something" in his eye that we could not get out...he went to the local hospital late on Sunday night and they got it out but suggested he see his local GP for a referral to a specialist as it had damaged the surface of the eye. The GP rang the specialist and he was seen at 2.15pm the same day...less than 24 hours after the accident.

[polksaladallie]

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.