When something concerns you about your vision or eye health, it is not always obvious whether you should see an optometrist or be referred to an ophthalmologist. Many patients are unsure of the difference between the two professions, and some are unaware that a referral is required for specialist eye care. Understanding how the system works helps you get to the right care more efficiently and ensures you access the Medicare benefits you are entitled to.
What does an optometrist do?
Optometrists are regulated primary eye health professionals who complete a university-based optometry degree (typically four to five years). They are not medical doctors. Their primary role includes testing visual acuity and refraction, prescribing glasses and contact lenses, and screening for eye conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration. In Australia, optometrists can prescribe certain topical ocular medications and, in some states, a limited range of other ophthalmic medications.
Optometrists are the first point of contact for most eye care in Australia and play a vital role in early detection and referral. A regular check with your optometrist — ideally every one to two years — is the appropriate starting point for most people without known eye disease.
What does an ophthalmologist do?
Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who, after completing a medical degree and internship, undertake at least four years of specialist training through the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO) vocational training program. FRANZCO qualification is the Australian and New Zealand specialist standard.
As medical specialists, ophthalmologists can perform eye surgery — including cataract surgery, corneal transplantation, glaucoma surgery, vitreoretinal surgery, and laser procedures — diagnose and manage all forms of eye disease, and prescribe the full range of ophthalmic medications. They provide the medical and surgical care that sits beyond the scope of optometry.
When do you need a referral to an ophthalmologist?
Your GP or optometrist will recommend a specialist referral when they identify conditions or symptoms that require medical or surgical management. Common reasons include:
- Cataracts causing visual impairment
- Suspected or confirmed glaucoma, or elevated intraocular pressure requiring assessment
- Macular degeneration — particularly any sign of conversion to wet AMD
- Diabetic eye disease requiring specialist assessment or treatment
- Sudden changes in vision, new floaters, or flashes of light
- Keratoconus or corneal disease
- Assessment for refractive surgery (LASIK, PRK, SMILE, or lens-based surgery)
- Eyelid problems, tearing, or orbital conditions
- Eye injuries or ocular emergencies
Sudden or severe symptoms — including sudden loss of vision, a curtain or shadow across your vision, a painful red eye, or significant eye trauma — should be treated as urgent. Contact our rooms directly on (03) 9466 8822.
How to get a referral
Either your GP or your optometrist can provide a specialist referral. A referral from either is sufficient to access Medicare rebates for the specialist consultation. For patients in Melbourne's northern suburbs, your optometrist will often be the first to identify a cataract, early glaucoma changes, or macular drusen — and will initiate the referral at your regular eye examination.
Referring practitioners can send referrals to Northern Eye Consultants via HealthLink EDI nthneyec or by fax to (03) 9466 8833. Referral templates and information for referring practitioners are available at our for referrers page.
What to expect at your first appointment at Northern Eye Consultants
Allow up to 90 minutes for a first specialist consultation, particularly if your pupils are likely to need dilating. Dilation takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes to take effect, causes temporary light sensitivity and blurred near vision for a few hours, and means you should arrange for someone else to drive you home. Bring your referral letter, Medicare card, health insurance card if applicable, and a list of current medications.
The consultation will include a detailed history, visual acuity measurement, an assessment of the eye with the slit-lamp microscope, and whatever additional tests are indicated — OCT, visual field testing, corneal topography, biometry, or others depending on the reason for referral. Your specialist will discuss their findings clearly, explain any diagnosis, outline treatment options, and answer your questions before you leave.
The subspecialty difference
Not all ophthalmologists have the same depth of training in every area. After completing FRANZCO, some ophthalmologists undertake an additional one to two years of subspecialty fellowship training in a specific area such as corneal transplantation, vitreoretinal surgery, glaucoma surgery, or refractive surgery.
Northern Eye Consultants was built specifically to bring multiple subspecialties together in Melbourne's northern suburbs. Our team of FRANZCO-certified subspecialists covers every major area of ophthalmology under one roof at Northpark Private Hospital, Bundoora. Detailed information about Dr Ross MacIntyre's subspecialty training in corneal, cataract, and refractive surgery is available at drmacintyre.com and corneaeyedoctor.com.