Left Eye Cant See Properly

Ljackshr001 on 12/09/2021 - 00:46
Last edited 13/09/2021 - 10:40 by 1 other user

So I am a immigrant from a developing country and my left eye can see but everything is hazy and I cannot read at all. It was diagnosed incurable in my country .

It had probably something to do when I was stick fighting with my older brother who did a stab style attack in my head. This was a direct hit in my left eye which popped inside a bit and popped back after a bit of pressure. This was when I was like 6 years old. It was fine no pain. Neglected it until years later on an eye check I couldn't read properly from in an eye test. I had no idea my eye was weak until that test.

The reason I talked about that diagnosis in my country is with thought that it was not the best of medical service in my country. I went to multiple check ups and test with no results.

Fast forward I am here in Australia ,but I am afraid that after a eye check up, they will refer me to multiple checks that may financially cripple me.

I am on IMAN basic cover that does cover eye surgery but do not know how any of this works or what to expect.
I normally check OzBargain forums and the community comes up with great insight and answers so just hoping I find something here about this.

My right eye can see perfectly and apparently that's how my brain adapted to depth perception and vision. I am 26 now and I don't know what I am expecting, maybe a scientific breakthrough we were not aware back in my country or a great second opinion on how eye check up works that's not entirely expensive for just tests and opinions and time consumption.

I am just fearful of the unknown and living mostly pay to pay

UPDATE : Thank you everyone for the support . Its a bit clear now how i should proceed and have booked a specsaver appointment .Will update on my case just so that anyone who needs similar help can refer to it.

Health & Beauty

Comments

  • Hybroid on 12/09/2021 - 00:59
    +4

    Speak to a GP that may refer you to a specialist. You'll be given options whether eligible for Medicare or private insurance, including costs, risks, timelines, aftercare etc.

    No-one's going to force you to do anything, especially non-life threatening surgery or LASIK.

  • bazingaa on 12/09/2021 - 01:16
    +1

    Don't worry and get it checked, may be it has nothing to do with the incident with your brother. The technology has developed a lot in recent years so there may be a solution. One of my mates used to wear glasses with a large correcting factor and he is mostly ok now after laser eye treatment. So, get it checked by a specialist and decide later.

  • Unorthodox on 12/09/2021 - 01:29
    +1

    There's most likely been a lot of advancement in the area since your last extensive check especially given your comments on your country plus what I sense is a bit of hesitation on your part to explore further.

    Take the advice^ and have a check and let the GP or optometrist refer you to a specialist. If you need surgery or whatnot then you can decide based on the cost. In Australia you don't get forced to undertake the first option you get presented so you can explore what's possible.

  • shaz0316 on 12/09/2021 - 01:52
    +5

    Would recommend making an appointment with an Optometrist- while GPs are good with general medicine, they are generally not the best with eye conditions.
    Most Optometrists bulk bill so as long as you have medicare will be taken care of. Depending on the cause of your vision issue, you may be eligible for a referral to public Ophthalmology if the condition is treatable.

    Im an Optometrist myself, feel free to PM me if you need any advice.

    All the best mate.

    • Jolakot on 12/09/2021 - 02:18

      No Medicare unfortunately; they're with iman, which provides insurance for individuals on working visas

      • Gervais fanboy on 12/09/2021 - 13:26

        Actually, most private insurances cover you Upto the Medicare levy amount,
        Basically giving you the same privileges as a Medicare card holder would have.

        If Iman doesn’t, op can switch over to Allianz/ Bupa because I know they cover you just like a Medicare card would.

        • Jolakot on 12/09/2021 - 16:12

          They cover MBS for outpatient services in hospitals, and often for GPs and prescription medication, but almost never for allied health without paying a fortune

          Bupa wants $34/weekly for Optical, and even then they only cover 50% of the cost. IMAN is $22 weekly as a comparison

          • jackshr001 on 13/09/2021 - 10:42

            @Jolakot: Thank you.Will look over the existing policy and hover around the best outcome

  • Jolakot on 12/09/2021 - 03:57
    +15

    Given that this occurred from a blunt injury to the eye, it took years to develop and you have hazy but useable vision, it sounds like you have a traumatic cataract

    If it is a traumatic cataract, then you're in one of the best countries in the world to treat it. Cataracts occur naturally in many older people, so with high average lifespans, most ophthalmologists (eye surgeons) have a lot of experience and the best equipment available to treat them here

    To see an ophthalmologist, you need a referral from either a GP or an Optometrist. I'd 100% recommend going to an Optometrist, like Shaz said in a nicer way, most GPs are hopeless with eye conditions. An Optometrist can speak the same language as an Ophthalmologist, and will have better recommendations, so it'll be a much easier experience.

    This should cost between $70-$100 without Medicare, Spec Savers does comprehensive eye exams with a 3D scan for $73.80 if you have one near you: https://www.specsavers.com.au/help-and-faqs/how-much-is-an-e…

    From reading your iman policy, DO NOT take a private Ophthalmologist referral, make 100% sure that you get referred to a hospital with Ophthalmology services, as your policy only covers MBS for out-patient services. Basically if you see an Ophthalmologist inside a hospital, iman will cover about half of the cost (depends on the hospital), but if you see one outside of a hospital, then you have to pay for all of it

    If the Ophthalmologist recommends surgery, then you'll need to pay an excess if you have one ($500 by default for iman), but everything else should be covered, including the hospital stay for 1 night

    In total this should cost you less than $1000 (including $500 excess) if you go through a hospital with iman, and will likely take 3+ months to even get a surgery date (maybe even 4-6 months with lockdowns creating a backlog), so you'd have time to save for it

    But just start by seeing an Optometrist, they'll be able to give you proper advice

    • May4th on 12/09/2021 - 10:48
      +3

      +1 for going to optometrist. training aside GPs don't have any equipment apart from a handheld ophthalmoscope which is next to useless - you need a slit lamp and OCTs which can only be done with an optometrist. they can also refer directly to ophthal if needed

  • ihbh on 12/09/2021 - 07:15
    +3

    All the best mate.

  • holdenmg on 12/09/2021 - 08:03

    Hi,

    Don't know what State or Territory you are living in…

    Some generic (Melbourne) Account costs based on Medicare ineligible patients:
    https://www.eyeandear.org.au/page/Patients/Paying_your_Eye_a…

    As a Medicare ineligible patient it is your responsibility to ensure that you have adequate health insurance cover or the funds to cover the cost of your medical treatment. If you have private health insurance, subject to the terms of your policy, you may be able to claim your hospital expenses from your insurer. This option will require you to sign a health insurance claim form so that the hospital can claim on your behalf. The payment of any shortfall between the amount claimed and paid by your insurer will be your responsibility. Please contact the hospital’s Billing Department for further information.

  • try2bhelpful on 12/09/2021 - 10:57
    +1

    Whatever route you do you will be asked to sign informed financial consent forms before any procedure so you will be able to make decisions before going ahead. I think there are some good suggestions here.

  • aarn on 12/09/2021 - 13:38

    I am a vet, not a doctor, living in QLD. You should be eligible for free treatment, maybe chase this up with refugee support organisations. Also, advancements in ophthalmology are amazing, I hope you regain binocular vision. Cheers

  • ShannonN on 12/09/2021 - 14:18

    If you're in qld pm me and I'll pass on my ophthalmologist details had cataract surgery and many laser treatments to stop extra veins and bleeding due to diabetes
    The crew were fantastic etc.

  • buckster on 12/09/2021 - 15:42
    +1

    It would cost you roughly $70 to see an optometrist and you don't need to go ahead with further testing if you choose not to

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