Do I need to seek a referral?

What ophthalmic procedures require a referral and where should I seek one?

Within ophthalmology there are procedures and ongoing treatment plans that require a referral and others that are elective and do not.

In this blog we will outline which is which, how to obtain a referral, and how this impacts cost for the patient.

What ophthalmic procedures are referred and who by?

The majority of ophthalmic procedures require a referral to be seen by an ophthalmologist. This includes both therapeutic and surgical treatments.

The most common of these are cataract, glaucoma, retinal and macular issues, corneal procedures, and treatments for diabetic retinopathy like in-vitreo injections.

Referrals can be sought from an optometrist, general practitioner or other medical doctor.

What ophthalmic procedures do not need a referral?

Elective refractive procedures do not require a referral to be seen by an ophthalmologist. This includes laser vision correction and refractive lens exchange (RLE).

Instead you can contact the consulting ophthalmologist of your choice and book in directly with them to understand your suitability and what procedure best suits your eye health and visual goals.

What are the cost considerations?

If a patient is referred it is likely that it is covered in part by Medicare, and private health insurance, depending on the level of cover. If seeking a private provider, it is likely there will still be an out of pocket cost which will vary depending on the procedure or treatment performed, the individual doctor and hospital fees, and the technology used. These costs will be itemised and provided to the patient at their consultation.

If the procedure is elective, it is likely that it will not be covered by Medicare or private health insurance. Therefore, these procedures represent an out of pocket but permanent investment in your visual future.

Many ophthalmologists will use a range of refractive technologies and the costs of each will vary. At Adelaide Eye & Laser Centre (AE&LC), laser vision specialists have access to a complete suite of laser technologyincluding SMILE® Pro, LASIK and PRK.

They also may offer a variety of payment plans and options. If you are interested in understanding the costs and payment options for patients seeking this expertise at AE&LC click here.

Find out more

If you are interested in finding out more about AE&LC or seek a consultation for any of the services provided, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our friendly customer service team as the first step.

Book complimentary laser assessment

To understand your best laser options we provide either a tele-consultation or in-house assessment that is no cost to the participant. Provided by a skilled refractive counsellor from ParkView Day Surgery, our affiliated day surgery facility, during this appointment we are able to refine what your personal eye solution is, and provide you an opportunity to ask any questions you may have.

Are you suitable for eye laser surgery?

Not all people are suitable for laser surgery and a thorough examination with an Ophthalmologist is necessary to determine suitability, however, there are some general guidelines and questions which can provide an initial indication of suitability. Take the suitability test and take your first step to a clearer brighter future.

Your questions answered here

We understand that having eye laser surgery is an important decision and that you may have questions about the procedure, your immediate recovery and what you can expect in the days, weeks and months after surgery. We have answered as many as we can here.