People usually take the health of their eyes for granted until there’s a problem. However, this is a bad approach because eye health can deteriorate gradually, in a way that’s preventable but hard to notice. It’s also closely linked to our overall wellbeing, and visual problems can be very distressing. A yearly checkup with a good eye care professional is always a good idea. Here are some tips for finding great eye care in Australia.
Qualifications and Professional Organization Membership
In Australia, checking the credentials of an eye care professional is straightforward, because they must be registered with the Optometry Board of Australia. If they have achieved this, it means that they successfully graduated from university as an optometrist. Bear in mind, however, that optometrists handle checkups and basic treatments. Ophthalmologists, who deal with surgeries and complex treatments, require additional certification. However, you can look up qualified ophthalmologists on the Australian Society of Ophthalmologists website.
Whether the Distance is Realistic
Make sure any clinic you research is within easy reach, otherwise it’s too easy to make excuses not to go. If you’re in a city, focus on your borough or suburb. For example, search for “eye care in Richmond” rather than “eye care in Melbourne.” With the latter, you might do all that research only to find it’s on the other side of town. If there’s a lot of traffic, you probably won’t go.
Costs and Insurance Coverage
Eye care fees vary based on the location of the clinic, their reputation, the equipment they use and more. It’s important to find out what you’ll be expected to pay, especially if the fee is payable upfront. Remember, however, that Medicare covers some eye tests, usually for children, the elderly and people with existing medical and eye conditions. Private health insurance also usually covers some eye tests. However, you may still need to pay upfront.
Reviews from Past Patients
For any clinic you are considering, it can be valuable to take a look online at their reviews before you book an appointment. Do their customers feel pleased with their service? Are they frequently praised or criticised for anything? It’s smart to give more weight to recent reviews and those left on third-party sites like Trustpilot. The websites of the clinics themselves are likely to only show the best feedback.
Aftercare and Follow-Up Appointments
It’s hard to maintain 20/20 vision for your whole life, and most people end up needing some type of glasses at some point. Adjusting to these is not always easy, so good clinics won’t just prescribe them and send you on your way. They’ll arrange follow-ups to see if you’re finding them okay. With other solutions like contact lenses, they’ll provide advice on how best to wear and look after them.
Conclusion
Even for people without chronic eye conditions, checking in with an eye care professional at regular intervals is sensible to protect your vision. Most places have several to choose from, and you can use the criteria above to find the best. You might prioritise some of these considerations over others, but bear in mind that opting for the very cheapest may not lead to the best outcome.
