What can I expect during my appointment?

When you are referred to Queensland Eye & Retina Specialists (QERS), your referral will be screened and triaged to ensure you see the most appropriate doctor within the right timeframe. You will then be contacted to make a booking, and an appointment confirmation letter will be sent to you. Please read this letter carefully to help you prepare for your visit.

If this is your first visit, you will be asked to complete a new patient form and provide consent for us to securely store your records and communicate electronically.

Before seeing the doctor, all patients will be assessed by our in-house optometrists and technicians. They will take essential measurements such as visual acuity, eye pressure, and relevant history. Your pupils will be dilated for most examinations.

Following this, a series of diagnostic scans will be performed. The results will be reviewed by your doctor, who will then conduct a detailed examination, discuss findings, and provide their specialist opinion

Why do I need my pupils dilated? Will this happen at every visit?

Pupil dilation allows your eye specialist to obtain a clear and full view of the back of your eye, including the retina, optic nerve and macula.
Depending on the nature of your visit, dilation may be required at each appointment. It’s safest to assume your pupils will be dilated every time and arrange transport accordingly.

Why can’t I drive after my appointment?

Dilating eye drops can cause blurred vision and light sensitivity for up to 6 hours after administration. For your safety, please arrange alternative transport, as you will not be able to drive until these effects have completely worn off.

I already had my scans done by my optometrist. Why do I need them again?

Optometry-based scanners are primarily designed for screening purposes to help determine if specialist referral is needed.
At QERS, our advanced high-definition diagnostic scanners provide detailed imaging for diagnosis, treatment planning, and medico-legal documentation. These allow your doctors to:

• Examine multiple retinal layers in detail
• Compare disease progression between visits
• Tailor treatment more precisely

These scans are essential for accurate diagnosis and monitoring of retinal and macular conditions.

Do I need a referral?

Yes, a valid referral is required before your appointment.
However, if you have a genuine eye emergency and obtaining a referral would delay care, we can see you without one.

Under normal circumstances, your GP, optometrist, or another specialist can issue or renew a referral. Many providers send referrals to us electronically. A valid referral:

• Helps us triage your appointment appropriately
• Enables you to claim a Medicare rebate
• Allows our doctors to report back to your referring practitioner for continuity of care

Referral validity:

• 12 months if issued by a GP or optometrist
• 3 months if issued by a specialist or hospital

We may remind you when your referral is close to expiring, but it remains your responsibility to ensure you have a valid referral at each appointment. Medicare does not allow backdating.

Why do I need a new referral for a review appointment?

Referrals expire after a set period (3 or 12 months, depending on the referrer). The expiry countdown begins from your first consultation with our specialist.

If your follow-up falls after your referral expires, you may still attend, but Medicare rebates will not apply. Some patients choose to attend without a new referral, but doing so may result in a higher out-of-pocket cost, particularly if you have reached your Medicare safety net or require a procedure.

We send SMS reminders 4 days before your appointment, which include referral reminders. If you are unsure of your referral status, please contact our friendly staff to confirm.

What are symptoms of an eye emergency?

Seek urgent care if you experience any of the following:

• Sudden or severe eye pain after recent eye surgery
• Sudden loss of vision
• Flashes of light
• Sudden onset of floaters (wiggly lines or blobs floating in vision)
• Sudden impairment of vision (curtain or black out vision)
• Chemical exposure to the eye
• Significant eye trauma
• Blood in the clear part of the eye
• Unusual pupil shape or size

What should I do if I think I’m having an eye emergency?

If referred for immediate care or seeking private treatment, call QERS on (07) 3555 5960.
Our team will triage your symptoms, confirm your referral, and arrange urgent assessment if required.

Public ophthalmology services in Brisbane are only available at:

• Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (RBWH)
• Princess Alexandra Hospital (PAH)

If you’re unsure what to do, contact our reception team for guidance.

How long will my appointment take?

For a comprehensive assessment, please allow up to 2.5 hours.
This includes:

• Registration and form completion (for new patients)
• Visual acuity testing and scans
• Pupil dilation time
• Specialist examination and discussion

If same-day treatment is required, please allow additional time.
For non-dilating appointments, your visit may take approximately 90 minutes.

As a retinal subspecialty practice, emergency cases may occasionally cause delays. Please be assured our team is mindful of your time and provides the same level of priority care to all patients.

What does the optometrist do at QERS?

Our clinical optometrists perform preliminary testing, diagnostic scans, and refractive assessments to support the specialist’s examination. This ensures a comprehensive, efficient, and tailored patient experience

What is the difference between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist?

An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who specialises in the diagnosis and medical or surgical management of eye diseases. At QERS, vitreoretinal specialists are ophthalmologists with additional subspecialty training in the medical and surgical treatment of retinal conditions.

An optometrist is a registered healthcare professional who examines eyes, prescribes glasses or contact lenses, and refers patients to ophthalmologists when necessary.
At QERS, our optometrists work closely with ophthalmologists to provide diagnostic testing and assist in patient care (note: we do not fit or dispense glasses

What does the technician do at QERS?

Our ophthalmic technicians perform initial eye testing and advanced diagnostic scans. They ensure accurate, high-quality imaging to support your specialist’s examination and treatment planning.

How are your fees calculated?

QERS is a private clinic, and our fees are based on the Australian Medical Association (AMA) rate. Our pricing reflects:

• The cost of maintaining advanced diagnostic equipment
• Highly trained clinical, management, and administrative teams
• Compliance with medical and safety standards

We do not offer bulk billing.

At booking, we will advise the anticipated consultation fee (including scans). If a procedure is recommended, you will receive a written quote and ample time to consider your options.

Will I receive same-day treatment?

Some conditions may require immediate treatment. Your doctor will discuss this with you and ensure you understand the costs and post-procedure care beforehand.
In most cases, treatment will be scheduled at an appropriate time to minimise waiting and ensure continuity of care.

Which private hospitals do your doctors operate at?

Our doctors operate at:

• Brisbane Day Surgery – Spring Hill (formerly Queensland Eye Hospital, all our visiting doctors)
• North Queensland Day Surgery – Townsville (Dr Sean Cheng only)
• South Brisbane Day Hospital (Dr Katie Chen only)