Recommended Optometrist or eye specialist brisbane?
Hi reddit Brisbane. My mother has cataracts and it seems to be getting worse. I found that her current optometrist seems to be doing a dodgy. He refused to give her a recommendation for the surgery to be done in a public hospital. (Fair enough its his call.) But then suggested he had a friend who could do it at a discounted rate for pensioner. Quoting 3k an eye. Ive done my research and know that there are specialists that can do the poceedure at 1.6k an eye upon recommendation. She told him that she would think about it and he passed her to a staff member who tried to sell her new glasses with all the trimmings. They tried to pressure the sale by pushing hard on the idea that it was illegal to drive with her current perscription. (This may be true, but top of the range frames wont change that fact)
All in all, Im pretty miffed as Im 99% sure they have tried to take advantage of her and she feels extremely vulnerable about her eyesight.
Does anyone have any recommendations on who we can see for a second opinion and does anyone have experience with this sort of thing. We are south of brisbane but are willing to travel to see someone genuine.
Thanks in advance!
Posted Nov 19, 2019, 3:38 AM UTC
A GP can actually refer you to a public ophthalmologist (who will then organise surgery). You’ll either need to get a copy of her BCVA with refraction within last 12 months, Private ophthalmologist or optometrist report including VA, refraction and impact of symptoms... or request that the optometrist sends that information directly to her GP. From there the GP can put in a referral... Just if a longer wait list (I have no idea of the time - some wait times can be surprisingly short though) but public systems something you want to consider...
referral criteria (this is the information for GPs but it gives you a good indication of the expected wait times and if she’s eligible through public system)
This. Any GP can refer to a specialist.
Dr Potter is my go to doctor after he correctly diagnosed me with a fairly weird condition at my age: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/australian-health-services/20139064/porter-eye-care-mount-gravatt/services/mount-gravatt-4122-mountain
Also OP consider reporting that asshole.