The medical staff at Eye Care Specialists Sunshine Coast are qualified to assess all types of ocular diseases and ocular conditions. The more common ocular diseases seen at the clinic include:
CATARACTS:
A cataract is formed when the natural lens inside the eye becomes cloudy, preventing light from focusing clearly onto the retina at the back of the eye. Symptoms of a cataract include mistiness or fluctuation in the quality of vision, sensitivity to glare, difficulty reading which cannot be remedied with spectacles and some loss of colour perception (especially blues and purples). If vision is sufficiently impaired by a cataract, surgical removal and replacement with an artificial intraocular lens will be required.
GLAUCOMA:
Glaucoma is characterised by raised pressure of the fluid inside the eye, loss of peripheral vision (ending in tunnel vision) and changes in the optic nerve head at the back of the eye. Most cases of glaucoma are adequately controlled with eye drops; however more severe cases of glaucoma may require laser treatment or surgery.
DIABETIC RETINOPATHY:
Retinopathy means disease of the retina. Retinopathy is the result of fine damage to the retinal blood vessels by the disease process of the diabetes. The disease has an early (background or non-proliferative) stage and a late stage. As part of a diabetic eye review, the doctor will examine the retina to establish the presence and the stage of diabetic retinopathy. Some patients will require more frequent eye examinations while others, depending on the stage of the disease, may require laser treatment or vitreo-retinal surgery.
PTERYGIUM:
A pterygium is an abnormal fine growth that grows from the corner of the eye towards the centre of the cornea - the 'clear window' that sits over the iris. As the cornea is highly sensitive, when the pterygium grows over the cornea the eye may become red, irritated, gritty and dry. The vision may also become blurred. The pterygium may be surgically removed if the symptoms are not relieved by conservative measures e.g. drops, sun protection habits like sunglasses.
AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION (AMD):
AMD is a disease that becomes more frequent with age and is classified as either 'dry' or 'wet'. 'Dry' AMD accounts for 90% of all AMD cases and is the result of a build-up of metabolic deposits under the macula (central retina), leading to a decrease in nerve cell function. 'Dry' AMD causes a long and slow decline in vision and rarely causes legal blindness. 'Wet' AMD accounts for only 10% of AMD cases and is caused by the growth of abnormal blood vessels across the macula. 'Wet' AMD unfortunately causes a rapid decline in central vision and only certain cases can be treated with laser therapy. In all cases of AMD where the vision is limiting lifestyle, visual rehabilitation from an orthoptist at our low vision clinic may be advised.
OTHER COMMONLY SEEN EYE DISORDERS:
Uveitis
Corneal ulcers
Chalazions/meibomian cysts/styes
Conjunctivitis, both disease based and allergic
Retinal detachments and retinal tears
Foreign bodies
Dry eyes
Red eyes
Double vision (from different causes)
Droopy eyes lids
Cancers of the eyelids
WHY DO I NEED A REFERRAL?
Medicare requires that all patients seeing a specialist must have a current referral to receive a Medicare refund for their treatment. A referral to an eye specialist may come from your General Practitioner (G.P.) or an optometrist and these referrals are generally valid for 12 months. Another specialist doctor (i.e. endocrinologist or heart surgeon) may refer you also but their referral is only valid for three months.
WHAT WILL THE VISIT COST?
The cost of your visit is calculated according to whether this is an initial consultation (you have a new referral) or if this is a review visit (your last referral is still current). A receptionist can give you an estimate of this cost when you book. Please note that additional costs may be charged if you have certain specialised testing or treatment on the day. For example, field-testing, laser treatments or minor operations. Discounted rates for pensioners and health-care cardholders apply.
Eye Care Specialists Sunshine Coast is NOT A BULK BILLING PRACTICE. On the day of your consultation you are requested to pay the account in full. We accept cash, cheque, EFTPOS, Visa, Mastercard and Bankcard. Medicare will refund approximately 85% of the cost of your visit. To claim your refund you can take your receipt to a Medicare office for payment, or our reception staff will post the claim to Medicare and a cheque will me mailed to your home address.
CAN I CLAIM THE COSTS THROUGH MY HEALTH FUND?
The out-of-pocket expenses for general consultations cannot be claimed from your private health insurer. Your private health insurer may cover the costs of minor operations and surgical procedures. You will need to check this information with your health fund.
WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING ON THE DAY OF MY CONSULTATION?
A current referral from your GP, specialist doctor, surgeon or optometrist
A list of your current medications
A list of any allergies
Your Medicare card and any pension or health care cards to ensure you are charged correctly and
Medicare will refund your money
Distance and reading glasses (the most recent pair), necessary for testing your vision
Driver (either a friend or relative). You may have drops to dilate your pupils that will keep your vision blurred for up to three hours
Sunglasses. The dilating drops will also cause glare sensitivity
Method of payment. We accept cash, cheque, EFTPOS, Visa, Mastercard and Bankcard. Full payment on the day is appreciated and attracts a discount.
DO YOU HAVE ACCESS FOR DISABLED PERSONS?
Yes! Although we are located on the first floor of the Sunshine Coast Day Surgery Building there is an elevator to provide easy access. The toilets are fitted with support bars and there are wheelchair access toilets available downstairs. The clinic is set up to minimise the amount of times you need to transfer from your wheelchair to another chair.
WHAT IS AN ORTHOPTIST?
An orthoptist is a university-trained eye health care professional. The orthoptic staff assess patients and conduct diagnostic procedures prior to the patient's consultation with the ophthalmologist (eye specialist/doctor). This allows the doctor to better examine and diagnose each patient's problems. Tests that the orthoptist performs include: measuring visual function, ultrasonography of the eye, visual field testing, testing colour vision and measuring the pressure of the eye. The orthoptist may also place drops in your eye to dilate the pupil and allow the ophthalmologist to better examine the eye.
