During your visit, you will be seen by our eye health professionals for initial testing as part of your consultation with Dr Chiu. Your vision will be assessed, your medical history noted, and various tests performed as required. As part of a full eye examination, your pupils may be dilated. This means that you should not drive for two hours. Please bring sunglasses if you have them, as this will help with glare.
Before Your Appointment
You’ll need a referral
To see any of the ophthalmologists at Pure Sight Eye Surgeons, you’ll need a current referral from your GP, optometrist, or another specialist. This referral is required for Medicare to cover part of your consultation fee. If your referral has expired (they’re valid for 12 months, or 3 months for specialist referrals), you’ll need to arrange a new one before your appointment.
What to bring
- Your referral letter (if not already sent to us electronically)
- Your Medicare card and any health insurance details
- A list of your current medications, including eye drops
- Your current glasses or contact lenses
- Any previous eye scan results or reports, if you have them
- A list of questions you’d like to ask
Allow approximately 2 hours for your first visit.
Your initial assessment is thorough and may include multiple tests. Some appointments, particularly for patients with complex cases or those being assessed for vision correction surgery, may take longer. We prefer to be comprehensive rather than rush the process.
What Happens During Your Visit
Step 1: Initial assessment
When you arrive, our team will take a detailed medical and eye history. You’ll be asked about your symptoms, your general health, any medications you’re taking, your family eye history, and what you’re hoping to achieve from the consultation.
Step 2: Diagnostic testing
Depending on the reason for your visit, you may undergo a range of diagnostic tests. These can include:
- Visual acuity testing (reading the letter chart) to measure how clearly you see
- Refraction to determine your glasses prescription
- Tonometry to measure the pressure inside your eyes
- Corneal topography and tomography to map the shape and thickness of your cornea
- Optical coherence tomography (OCT) to produce detailed cross-sectional images of the retina and optic nerve
- Biometry to calculate intraocular lens power if cataract surgery or refractive lens exchange is being considered
Not every test is needed at every visit. The tests performed will be tailored to your specific situation.
Step 3: Pupil dilation
In most cases, your pupils will be dilated with eye drops so the doctor can get a clear view of the inside of your eye, including the lens, retina, macula, and optic nerve. Dilation takes about 20 to 30 minutes to take full effect and your vision will be blurry for several hours afterwards.
Important: you won’t be able to drive safely while your pupils are dilated. Please arrange alternative transport home, or plan to wait until the drops wear off (usually 4 to 6 hours).
Step 4: Consultation with your doctor
After your tests are completed, you’ll see your ophthalmologist. They will review your results, examine your eyes, discuss their findings with you, and explain your diagnosis and treatment options in clear terms. There will be time to ask questions.
If surgery is recommended, the doctor will explain the procedure, the expected outcomes, the risks, and the recovery process. You won’t be pressured into making a decision on the spot. Many patients choose to take the information home, think it over, and book surgery at a later date.
If You’re Being Assessed for Vision Correction Surgery
If you’re attending for a laser eye surgery, ICL, or refractive lens exchange assessment, the initial screening is often performed by our clinical team of specialist refractive trained orthoptists and consulting optometrists. This detailed assessment includes corneal mapping, tear film analysis, and a range of measurements specific to vision correction candidacy.
The results are then reviewed by Dr Chiu, who will discuss your surgical options with you at a follow-up consultation. Allow approximately 2 hours for this assessment; certain workups, particularly for patients with long-sightedness or complex cases, may take longer.
After Your Visit
If further tests, treatment, or surgery are needed, our team will guide you through the next steps and schedule any follow-up appointments before you leave. We’ll also communicate with your referring doctor to keep them informed of your diagnosis and management plan.
If you have questions between appointments, you can reach us on other number
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will my first appointment take?
Allow approximately 2 hours. Some assessments, particularly for vision correction surgery or complex cases, may run longer. We’d rather be thorough than hurried.
Will my eyes be dilated?
In most cases, yes. Dilation allows the doctor to examine the inside of your eye properly. Your vision will be blurry for several hours afterwards, so please arrange transport home.
Can I drive after my appointment?
If your pupils have been dilated, you shouldn’t drive until the drops wear off (usually 4 to 6 hours). If your pupils aren’t dilated, you can drive as normal.
Do I need to stop wearing contact lenses before my visit?
If you’re being assessed for vision correction surgery (laser, ICL, or refractive lens exchange), you should stop wearing soft contact lenses for at least 48 hours before your appointment, and hard or rigid gas-permeable lenses for at least one week per year of use, up to a maximum of 4 weeks. This allows your cornea to return to its natural shape for accurate measurements. For routine appointments, contact lens wear doesn’t need to stop.
What does my appointment cost?
Consultation fees vary depending on the type of appointment. Medicare rebates apply to all specialist consultations when you have a valid referral. Our team can provide fee information when you book. For vision correction surgery assessments, specific fees apply and will be discussed at the time of booking.
Are these procedures covered by health funds?
Procedures such as laser vision correction (LASIK/SMILE), implantable collamer lens (ICL), and refractive lens exchange (RLE) are typically performed to reduce dependence on glasses or contact lenses and are not usually covered by private health insurance.
If cataract surgery is required for medical reasons, Medicare and private health funds may contribute to part of the procedure, depending on your level of cover.