Who can help

Who’s who in eye health and vision care

There are a number of professionals who can help you with eye health and vision care.

This section also contains information on low vision services and low vision service providers.

General practitioners

General practitioners are often the first health professional you visit when you have an eye concern. They can provide an immediate assessment and treatment of some problems and may refer you to an optometrist or ophthalmologist.

For more information visit The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners website

Ophthalmologists

Ophthalmologists (also known as eye specialists or eye surgeons) are medical doctors who specialise in the human eye. They provide eye examinations, diagnosis of diseases and defects of the eye and manage associated treatments which may include surgery.

Referral from a general practitioner, optometrist or other medical specialist is required to obtain the Medicare rebate.

Appointments are prioritised according to medical need, with red eyes commonly seen immediately upon referral.

For more information visit The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists website

Ophthalmic nurses

Ophthalmic nurses work alongside ophthalmologists to provide nursing care to patients during their treatment. Ophthalmic nurses can be registered or enrolled nurses.

For more information visit the Australian Ophthalmic Nurses Association website

Optometrists

Optometrists are primary health care specialists who examine eyes to detect defects in vision, signs of ocular injury, ocular diseases or abnormalities and problems with general health. A detailed eye examination can reveal conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes.

Optometrists make a diagnosis, offer advice and when necessary prescribe, fit and supply glasses and contact lenses. They may provide treatments for some eye disease and will refer you to an ophthalmologist for further diagnosis and treatment if necessary.

You do not need a referral to see an optometrist and there is little or no waiting time for appointments. Medicare provides a full rebate for most optometry consultations.

For more information visit the Optometrists Association Australia website

Orthoptists

Orthoptists are allied health professionals who specialise in the diagnosis and management of disorders of eye movements and associated vision problems.

Orthoptists often work alongside ophthalmologists and help with rehabilitation of people experiencing vision loss.

For more information visit the Orthoptics Australia website

Optical dispensers and optical mechanics

Optical dispensers interpret optical prescriptions as well as fit and service optical appliances such as spectacle frames and lenses.

Optical mechanics operate machines to grind, polish and surface optical lenses to meet prescription requirements. Optical mechanics also fit lenses to spectacle frames.
Optical dispensers and mechanics often work alongside optometrists.

For more information visit the Australasian Dispensing Opticians Association website