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Frequently Asked Questions

Bullet How Long Will My Eye Examination Take?
A full eye examination for adults and children will take around 30 minutes. Follow up eye examinations and contact lens aftercare visits will take around 15 minutes. Occasionally an exam may take longer if you have more complex vision problems or eye health issues.
Bullet How Often Should I Have My Eyes Examined?
We recommend a full eye examination every 2 years for adults. Shannon may advise more regular examinations depending on the health of your eyes or your visual needs. Children should be seen at 6 months of age, 3 to 4 years of age and generally every 2 years after that. Obviously, if you have any concern about your vision or eyes, you can be seen at any time.
Bullet Will My Eye Examination Be Bulk Billed To Medicare?
At Outlook Eye Centre we bulk bill children and pensioners. Otherwise, the consultation fee is payable at the time of the visit. We are able to submit your claim to Medicare on the spot and you will receive a rebate benefit to your nominated bank account. There will be a gap between the fee you pay us and the rebate you receive from Medicare depending on how long it has been since you last had your eyes tested.
Bullet Will Wearing Glasses Weaken My Eyes?
Your eyes will not grow weaker as a result of using your glasses however your prescription may change over time. Most of us don’t notice the tiny changes in our vision from day to day. The brain is very efficient at adapting to small changes over a length of time, so we don’t notice the effort it may take for us to see well. When you put on your new glasses, suddenly squinting and struggling to see clearly are not needed, and your vision seems very clear and almost effortless. But when you take them off at the end of the day, the improvement in the vision they give us makes us think our glasses have made our vision seem even worse without them than it was before.
Bullet Do I Need To Have A Referral For An Eye Examination?
No you don’t need a referral to see us at Outlook Eye Centre
Bullet Do I Still Need To Have An Eye Examination?

There are many vision and in fact life-threatening diseases that don’t cause any symptoms until it is too late to treat them. A regular eye examination will identify many of these conditions while they are still treatable and preserve your vision and perhaps your life for many years to come. It is also a great idea to have a regular check up to make sure that your vision and eye health is functioning at the very best it can be for your day to day activities.

Bullet What Does My Private Health Insurance Cover?
Using our HICAPS terminal, we are able to directly claim benefits from your private health fund for your glasses and contact lenses, provided you have extras cover and bring in your private health fund card. Your health fund pays the benefits directly to us, and you will only need to pay the gap amount. Generally, private health cover benefits are payable every calendar year although some funds do renew each financial year.
Bullet Will I Have Drops Put In My Eyes?

Many tests can be performed without eye drops. However, in some cases, it may be necessary to use drops to dilate your pupils to more accurately assess the health of the back of your eyes. These drops may leave your vision a little blurry and sensitive to light so it is recommended that you wear sunglasses and perhaps have someone with you who can drive you home.

Sometimes we need to use special drops in your child’s eyes which help us to get a more thorough understanding of their vision and focussing.

We also use a local anaesthetic drop to assist in the measurement of the pressure in the eye.

Bullet What Is The Best Way To Clean My Glasses?

We recommend that using a special optical cleaning spray and cloth is the safest way to clean your glasses. We do often use soft tissues to dry our lenses. It is better not to use any chemicals on your glasses. Please feel free to bring your glasses to us at any time to have them cleaned.

Bullet Are You Open On Saturdays?

Yes, we are open on Saturdays by appointment only.

Bullet How Long Will It Take For My Glasses To Be Ready?
In most cases, your glasses will be ready in a few working days. Some specialty lenses do take a little bit longer. However, we will be able to advise you when to expect your new glasses when you order them.
Bullet Will There Be A Warranty On My Glasses?
We are proud to offer a two-year manufacturer’s warranty on all our full priced glasses. While we can’t cover for scratched lenses or accidental damage we will do our best to find a solution to any problem you may have.
Bullet What Types Of Payment Do You Accept?

We accept payment by Visa, Mastercard, Cash and Cheque. We also offer Afterpay and Humm. We are sorry we don’t accept Diners Club or American Express.

Bullet Can You Put New Lenses Into My Current Frames?
Yes we can fit new prescription lenses into your own frames providing they are still in good condition. If you would like to do this, it is easy and convenient because we don’t need to send your glasses away because all our lenses are fitting on-site so you won’t need to be without your glasses. If you would like to do this, please bring your glasses in with you when you come in to see us.
Bullet Is It True That Reading In Dim Light Can Harm Your Vision?

Whilst reading in dim light won’t damage your eyes, it may cause annoying symptoms such are eyestrain, tired eyes and headaches. Good lighting and an up to date pair of glasses can prevent eyestrain. The best lighting is a bright bulb positioned above and slightly behind your head, making sure that you don’t cast a shadow on what you are reading.

Bullet I Have Something In My Eye, What Should I Do?

We recommend that you make an appointment with Shannon as soon as possible as we have the appropriate equipment to thoroughly examine your eye and remove any foreign body lodged in it. We are also able to prescribe the appropriate treatment after removal of the foreign body.

Bullet Can I Refer My Friends And Family?

We would love to be able to provide our services to not only yourself, but anyone you know who you feel would benefit from the eye care we provide. Who among your friends and family do you think would benefit from what we have to offer?

If you feel that you know someone who would, we would be very happy to meet them, and pass on to them the eye care expertise that we have shown you. Please feel free to take some business cards as a means of introduction, and a reference for your family and friends to contact us. We are always more than happy to answer any questions that either yourself or your friends may have regarding their eyes or the services we provide. We are extremely thankful for your referrals, and assure you that we will most definitely deliver the same level of service to your family and friends that we have to you.

Bullet What Symptoms Could Indicate A Possible Problem With My Baby's Eyes?

If you ever have concerns about your baby’s eyes it is always important to have this checked, as early detection will normally offer a better prognosis. If you are aware of a family history of eye problems (such as a turned or lazy eye), or if your baby was born premature, they may be at more risk of developing eye problems. Some reasons to have your baby’s eyes examined can include, but is not limited to:

  • Eyes appearing crossed
  • One or both eyes turn in or out
  • Irregular-shaped or unequal-sized pupils
  • Not being able to track or move both eyes in the same direction, at the same time
  • The pupil looks white
  • Eyes appear to “jiggle” or do not appear to keep still
  • Droopy eyelid
  • Discharge or red eyes.
Bullet Can I Wear Contact Lenses Instead Of Glasses?

For most people who wear glasses full-time, there is a viable contact lens option. People choose contact lenses over glasses for lots of reasons. Often, contact lenses are a better option for sport and some occupations or hobbies and interests. People with high prescriptions or a big difference in prescription between the two eyes will often get better vision with contact lenses than with glasses. Most people wearing contact lenses just prefer the look of contacts to wearing glasses.

Come and visit us to get your eyes examined

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