Seeing an eye specialist for the first time is different from a routine GP visit, and knowing what to bring and what to expect makes the appointment easier for everyone. This guide covers what to bring, how referrals work, why your eyes may be dilated, how to get to our Bundoora rooms, and what happens after your assessment.
What Should I Bring to My First Eye Specialist Appointment?
Bring your referral letter from your GP or optometrist, your Medicare card, and your private health insurance card if you have one. Bring a list of your current medications, including any eye drops, along with your glasses or contact lenses and any previous eye test results or imaging your optometrist has provided.
If you have had previous eye surgery, bring any documentation you have about it. This helps your ophthalmologist understand your full history and avoids repeating tests unnecessarily.
Do I Need a Referral to See an Ophthalmologist?
A valid referral from a GP or optometrist is required to claim Medicare rebates for your specialist consultation. Without a referral you can still be seen, but Medicare rebates will not apply. Referrals from GPs are valid for 12 months, while referrals from other specialists are valid for 3 months.
For a detailed explanation of who can refer you, how long referrals last, and what to do if yours has expired, see our full guide to ophthalmologist referrals. Referrals can be sent to Northern Eye Consultants via HealthLink EDI nthneyec, by fax, or by post, and our referrer information page has full details for GPs and optometrists.
Will My Eyes Be Dilated at My First Appointment?
Many ophthalmic examinations require dilating drops to examine the lens and retina fully. Dilation causes temporary blurred near vision and light sensitivity lasting around 3 to 6 hours. You should not drive after dilation, so arrange a driver or use public transport, and bring sunglasses for the trip home.
This is particularly important if you are coming for a cataract, retinal, or macular assessment, where a clear view of the back of the eye is essential to your examination.
Where Is Northern Eye Consultants and How Do I Get There?
Northern Eye Consultants is located at Suite 5, Northpark Private Hospital, 135 Plenty Road, Bundoora VIC 3083. Onsite parking is available at Northpark Private Hospital, and street parking is also available nearby.
By public transport, tram Route 86 stops on Plenty Road directly in front of the building. From the city, Route 86 runs from Bourke Street Mall through to Bundoora, a journey of approximately 45 to 50 minutes. Full directions and a map are available on our contact page.
How Long Will My First Appointment Take?
Allow 1 to 2 hours for your first appointment, longer than a standard GP visit. A full ophthalmic assessment includes visual acuity testing, refraction, and slit lamp examination, and where indicated, additional tests such as OCT imaging, visual fields, corneal topography, or biometry.
The exact tests performed depend on your referral reason, so a straightforward review may take less time than a first assessment for a condition such as glaucoma or macular degeneration that requires more detailed imaging.
What Happens After My First Appointment?
After your assessment, your surgeon will discuss the findings, recommendations, and next steps with you directly. If surgery is recommended, a written fee estimate will be provided before you commit to any procedure.
You will also receive a letter to your referring doctor summarising the consultation findings, so your GP or optometrist stays informed about your ongoing care. New patients can complete much of the paperwork in advance through our online patient registration form.
Will I Need to Take Time Off Work?
The consultation itself does not require time off work beyond the appointment duration. If dilation is required, you should not drive for the remainder of the day and may find reading or screen work difficult for several hours afterward.
If surgery is subsequently recommended, separate pre-operative and post-operative appointments will be scheduled, each with their own timing considerations that your surgeon will explain. To find out more about our specialists ahead of your visit, see our our team page.