FAQ's
Q: How long does an eye examination take?
A: To take a proper history and description of your symptoms, examine the focus, health and co-ordination of your eyes and then discuss findings with treatment options will usually take 30-40 minutes.
Q: How much is an eye examination, are eye tests covered by Medicare and will you Bulk bill?
A: The Federal Government encourages Australian citizens and some foreign nationals (on certain visas) to have their eyes examined every 2 years. The scheduled fee for an eye examination currently is $67.15 of which $57.10 is covered by Medicare. The Australian Government (through Medicare) will contribute (subsidise) $57.10 toward your eye exam every 2 years. Should you wish to have more frequent eye exams Medicare will contribute only $28.60.
If we choose to bulk bill for your eye exam Medicare will pay us $57.10 for the examination unless you have had an eye exam elsewhere in the past 2 years, in which case we will be paid only $28.60. If we bulk bill we accept the Governments subsidy as full payment and cannot charge the gap. We will bulk bill our existing and new patients only if we will be paid the appropriate fee for our time. Medicare runs a telephone hotline whereby we can check immediately whether it is suitable for us to bulk bill you for your service. If it is not, we will charge you the appropriate fee for the service we provided and issue you a receipt and you will be able to claim $28.60 back from Medicare. In some instances we can do this claim online on-the-spot.
If you require further clarification on this matter please feel free to discuss it when you make your appointment.
Q: Is an appointment necessary for eye examination?
A: To help us properly evaluate your visual problems and give you prompt, on-time service we recommend you book an appointment. However, in emergency or serious situation we may see you straight away.
Q: Is it usual to have adaptation problems to new spectacles?
A: Usually, if there is some change in prescription or a new form of lens has been prescribed in your new spectacles, such as a multifocal or aspheric design lens, some adaptation may be necessary. But this should be a mild inconvenience and you should still see well and feel comfortable in the spectacles. If your vision is not good or you feel disorientated in your spectacles you should contact your practitioner immediately.
Q: What is the best way to clean spectacles?
A: We do not recommend washing spectacles in soap and water as the water can get into the groove between lens and frame and mould may grow. Use a commercial lens cleaner and cloth or a quality tissue and methylated spirits to wipe the lenses and frame clean of make-up and grime.
Q: Hey, weren't you guys located in Metcentre?
A: Yes, for many years we had our practice in Metcentre which formerly was known variously as CBA centre and Westpac Plaza. We were ourselves trading as Burgess and Associates Optical and then for some years as The Eyewear Collection. Times change and so have we in practice address and name to keep abreast of industry trends and service to you. But, what hasn’t changed is that we are still an independent, owner-operated practice with our commitment to ensuring your visual comfort and satisfaction. We have been trading 26 years and through that time we have seen “optical offerings”, the like of, Optic Express and Merrington’s come and go. Companies that made promises of “Cheap and Fast” and cast doubt about the integrity of your own practitioner because they did “2 for 1” and other seemingly value driven deals. At the end of the day it is quality and value for service that prevails. The optical industry is, and has always been, very competitive. Even today other Optical businesses are no doubt testing your loyalty to us. We appreciate your past patronage but we equally appreciate your loyalty and can assure you that in value for money and quality and service you can’t go past EyecarePlus- Wynyard. Please let us know if you think otherwise.
