You may have a biometry screening done if you have cataracts. The biometry measures the length and curvature of your eye. At the time of surgery, the lens in your eye is removed and replaced with an artificial lens. The biometry test tells us the strength of the lens required for you. If you have a biometry you will also have Topography & Autorefraction. A Medicare refund is available for this testing procedure.

Hard contact lens wearers should leave their contact lens out for at least two weeks prior to their consultation and soft contact lens wearer for at least one week. 

A computer perimetry (also known as a visual field) tests the entire scope of your peripheral (side) vision.

This test is frequently used to detect any sign of glaucoma damage to the optic nerve. In addition, perimetry tests are also useful for detecting central or peripheral retinal disease, eyelid conditions such as ptosis or drooping, optic nerve disease and disease affecting the visual pathways within the brain.

The perimetry test is performed one eye at a time with the other eye completely covered to avoid errors. You will be asked to look directly ahead at all times to avoid testing the central vision rather than the peripheral vision.

On your first visit to the ophthalmologist, with signs of glaucoma, the ophthalmic technicians will perform a perimetry test collating the results for the ophthalmologist to view during your consultation. This initial test is commonly referred to as your ‘base line’ test. This enables the ophthalmologist to form a starting point and then at regular intervals, further perimetry tests are performed and comparisons are made against your initial test. Without regular 6 monthly tests it is very difficult for the ophthalmologist to accurately monitor your progress. Multiple 6 monthly tests are a very important part of assessing and monitoring your condition as it can detect any subtle changes in your vision. Some medications you take can also affect your central vision (such as Plaquenil) so you may need to have more regular field tests for this reason.

In some patients, not all, this 6 monthly testing may be co-managed between the ophthalmologist and your optometrist.

Currently a Medicare refund is available for this test.

Optic disc photography is important as it helps create a baseline for future comparison. Your ophthalmologist may later take additional pictures to see if there are any changes to the nerve fibre layer and associated thinning of the tissue at the optic nerve head. These images can help identify signs of glaucoma progression.

You may have retinal photos taken if you have changes on the retina such as choroidal nevus (freckle). This allows your doctor to compare the photos over a long period of time to monitor any change. Medicare currently do not offer a refund on this testing procedure.

Optical Coherence Tomography is a non-invasive, non-contact imaging technique used to take images of the retina and the optic nerve. By focusing beams of light into the eye it will scan a cross section image, similar to a topographical map.

This machine assists greatly in diagnosing and monitoring macular diseases including Age-related macular degeneration, macular holes, macular oedema, epiretinal inflammatory diseases and it also assists in the assessment of glaucoma as it is able to assess the nerve damage to the back of the eye.

There is a fee charged for the OCT test which currently Medicare do not offer any rebate on. Depending on the patient’s level of cover, some private health funds will rebate a portion of the fee under ancillary cover.

Pachymetry is a simple, quick and painless test to measure the thickness of the cornea and is essential for patients with corneal abnormalities as well as patients with glaucoma. When combined with standard intraocular pressure measurements, pachymetry gives your ophthalmologist a much more accurate prediction of glaucoma development. Currently Medicare does not offer a refund for this test.

The Scheimpflug is a rotating camera which captures images of the anterior eye segment. A Scheimpflug measurement process takes less than two seconds to measure each eye, and then generates images and corneal maps used for diagnosis and treatment of cataracts, glaucoma and corneal problems. Currently Medicare do not offer any refund for this test.

Specular microscopy is a non-invasive photographic technique that allows you to visualise and analyse the corneal endothelium. This test is used to monitor the number, density, and quality of endothelial cells that line the back of the cornea. A microscope magnifies the cells thousands of times and the image is captured with a camera or video camera. The number of cells within one square millimeter are counted and recorded. The endothelium of a young, ten-year-old with a healthy cornea has approximately 3,500 cells in each square millimeter. Normal aging causes the cells to gradually decrease over time. By age 60, most people have approximately 2,500 cells per square millimeter.

Topography & Autorefraction are done at the same time. Topography is a topographical map of your cornea. You may have this done if you have corneal trouble such as Keratoconus or if you have cataracts. Autorefraction provides an objective measurement of your refractive error (the strength glasses you wear). It is particularly important to know your refraction prior  cataract surgery to calculate the most suitable artificial lens. Currently Medicare does not offer a refund for this vital test.