We accept ALL health fund members

EYE HEALTH

Providing essential eye care

What is an optometrist?

An optometrist is a healthcare professional who provides primary eye care services. Optometrists are trained to assess vision, prescribe glasses, diagnose and treat some eye conditions. Optometrists are university qualified and are registered with the Optometry Board of Australia. 

At The Optical Superstore, independently operating optometrists are dedicated to helping patients manage their eye health.

FIND An optometrist
NEAR YOU

Schedule an appointment with an optometrist. Most eye tests are bulk billed to Medicare.

Optometrist vs ophthalmologist

An ophthalmologist, also known as an eye specialist, has a medical degree and has completed additional training in eye care. The main difference between an ophthalmologist and an optometrist is their level of education and expertise. 

Ophthalmologists can perform eye surgery in addition to treating vision disorders. If an optometrist identifies an ocular disease or injury, they may refer the patient to an ophthalmologist for further treatment. 

Independent optometrists consult at The Optical Superstore.

Optometrist vs optical dispenser

Optical dispensers are trained to dispense lenses according to a prescription provided by optometrists. 

Optical dispensers also fit spectacle frames to faces, and measure the distance between patients’ pupils to ensure the best vision for the customer wearing glasses. Optical dispensers help select the right frames for a prescription.

Optical dispensers and optometrists work together. 

What does an optometrist do?

What does an optometrist do?

Optometrists are primary vision care providers. They may be the first point of contact for your eye and vision needs. If you have eye health concerns or are experiencing any changes to your vision, optometrists will help you address these issues.

they are trained to provide the following services:

Optometrist eye examinations: What to expect

What to expect in an eye test?

During an eye test, you can expect your optometrist to record a comprehensive medical history. They may ask you questions about your family history, past and present medical issues, injuries, and medications. This information is important in assessing the health of your eye and prescribing the right vision correction.

A comprehensive eye test may include:

Visual Acuity

Measure the sharpness of your vision.

refraction

Determine your prescription for eyeglasses, if required.

retinal photography

High resolution digital retinal photography of the back of the eye is sometimes recommended to monitor certain eye conditions.

slit lamp test

Examines the structure of your eye under high magnification. This is important to detect a wide range of eye conditions such as cataracts, macular degeneration, corneal ulcers and diabetic retinopathy.

colour vision test

Check for colour blindness where certain colours cannot be easily distinguished.

pressure test

Measures the pressure in your eyes to help diagnose ocular conditions such as glaucoma. 

eye movements

Determine how well your eyes work as a team to focus on various targets and follow a moving object.

When should you see an optometrist?

If you have noticed any changes to your eyesight, whether it be blurry vision, eye strain, trouble reading small print or seeing far away objects, you should come in and see an optometrist for an eye test. According to Allied Health Professions Australia, there are several key reasons as to why you should come and see an optometrist.

  • To help you see clearly by prescribing eye correction lenses. 
  • A regular eye test can detect eye conditions or diseases early, allowing your optometrist to manage these before they become a bigger issue.
  • A routine eye test can be important in detecting health conditions that may affect the eye, such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
  • An eye test is also helpful in assessing your overall health.

Source: Allied Health Professions Australia

How often should your eyes be checked?

It is recommended to have regular eye examinations. 

For those eligible and under 65 years of age, Medicare provides a comprehensive eye test every 3 years. 

For those eligible and 65 years and over, Medicare provides a comprehensive eye test every year. 

If you are concerned about any new changes in your vision be sure to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. Medicare allows additional eye tests for eligible persons.

OPTOMETRIST

We are passionate about eye care and your eye health. We have experienced optometrists with high-quality equipment to test, diagnose and in some cases, treat eye conditions and diseases. We are experts in eye care and provide bulk billed eye tests in every store, performed by our trusted optometrists.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OPTOMETRY

EYE TESTS

A regular eye test is an essential part of taking care of your health. From pretesting to a retinal scan, the results of an eye test enable our optometrists to provide tailored advice on how to best support your visual needs.

LEARN MORE ABOUT EYE TESTS

EYE CONDITIONS

Eye health is an extremely important aspect of your life. At Optical Superstore, our optometrists are qualified to diagnose, treat and refer patients who have a variety of eye conditions depending on their needs and concerns.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OPTOMETRY

FIND A STORE NEAR YOU

Schedule an appointment with an optometrist. Most eye tests are bulk billed to Medicare.