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Applying eye drops: what you should know
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This table can assist you with your drops. Ask a staff member to help fill this out for you.
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Eye drops (name) 8.00 am 10.00 am 12.00 pm (noon) 2.00 pm 4.00 pm 6.00 pm 8.00 pm 10.00 pm -
Inserting your eye drops
Have you just been prescribed drops?
Are you finding it hard to use your drops?
Below are useful tips to assist you in using your drops properly.
It is important to keep your eye drops stored in a cool, clean place when not in use. Avoid storing them in direct sunlight. If you are carrying them in your handbag, place them in a clean plastic bag.
- Like all medications, drops should only be used when prescribed to you by your doctor. Throw out drops that are no longer required for use or which have expired.Inserting eye drops may seem difficult at first, but will become easier with practice and if you use a good technique. For some it may be difficult, especially if you live alone.
It is important to use your eye drops regularly and exactly as prescribed by your doctor. -
Things to remember
- Before opening the eye drop ensure your hands are clean.
- If at any time you need to wipe your eye do so with a clean tissue.
- Avoid touching your eye or any part of your eye with the tip of the dropper. When taking the lid off the bottle, lay the lid on its side on a clean tissue.
- To prevent drops running down into the back of your throat, close your eyes immediately after instilling the drop and gently press onto the inner corner of each eye for 1 minute.
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How to apply eye drops
- While sitting, standing or laying down, tilt your head back and look upwards towards the ceiling.
- Gently pull down the soft area under the lower eyelid using your index finger to create a pocket inside the eye.
- Squeeze the bottle, aiming the tip of the dropper in the direction of the pocket. The drop should fall directly within this area.
- After applying the drop, close your eyes for at least one minute. Do not wipe your eyes or squeeze them tight.
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If you use more than one type of eye drop, wait five minutes before applying additional drops. ALWAYS screw the lid back onto the drops straight after use. Store as directed.
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Medicare safety net: understanding your right to financial assistance
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What is the Medicare safety net?
The Medicare safety net provides financial assistance to Australian Citizens who require regular medical care. It only applies to items that attract a Medicare benefit, and only to medical care provided in the clinic. The safety net does not apply to procedures formed in hospital or a day surgery. Many-but not all-tests performed in our practice are claimable through Medicare.
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If you reach the relevant threshold in a calendar year, you will be eligible for an 80 per cent refund on any eligible out-of-pocket costs for the rest of that calendar year. Consultation fees must still be paid every visit, but you will receive a greater rebate once you have reached the safety net.
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Are you registered?
If you have a medicare card and are an Australian citizen you are automatically registered as an individual. Medicare will keep a tally of your out-of-pocket expenses.
It is important to register with Medicare online so that your rebate will be paid back into your nominated bank account as promptly as possible.
If you are having trouble we can help you register.
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If you have a partner (married or de facto) or family, you should register as such. The Medicare safety net is calculated for the family. Combining medical costs for each family member will mean you reach the safety net quicker and get a better contribution to your healthcare.
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What is your threshold?
- A concession or pension cardholder must reach a total of $717.90
- A non-concession cardholder must reach an amount of $2249.80
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How does it work?
It is important to understand the above amount is the out-of-pocket spend. The amount you pay is not considered. Medicare only looks at the difference between what you pay and what they give you back as a rebate; that is, the out-of-pocket spend.
Once the relevant threshold has been reached, Medicare will automatically rebate 80 per cent of your out-of-pocket costs for the remainder of the calendar year.
Further information regarding the Medicare safety net is accessible through Medicare online (see below) or speak to a member of our team.
Website: https://www.humanservices.gov.au
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Optical coherence tomography (OCT) or laser scan
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OCT is a non-contact, non-invasive, painless and completely safe diagnostic test
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An OCT is a state-of-the-art laser scanner. It is a non-contact, non-invasive test used to make a very accurate map of all the layers of the retina at the back of the eye.
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Normal OCT showing a healthy retina
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OCT images greatly assist in diagnosing macular diseases and glaucoma. We always use it to check the health of the eye because it can pick up disease that the human eye cannot see. It is particularly useful in detecting early wet macular degeneration and diabetic macular oedema.
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Why do I need an OCT?
An OCT is now considered a standard part of the clinical work-up for an ophthalmology examination. It is able to detect changes in the retina of only a few thousandths of a millimetre. An OCT will detect pathology that is simply not visible to the human eye. In some cases, this will allow early diagnosis and treatment and prevent loss of vision.
To protect your vision we perform an OCT on all new patients. OCT is crucial in diagnosing glaucoma and retinal conditions. It is often important to repeat the test regularly to monitor the effect of treatment.
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OCT showing fluid in the retina- the cause of vision loss
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The OCT scan is best performed with dilated pupils. It is totally painless and only takes a few seconds. There are no side effects. It is 100 per cent safe.
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What is the cost of an OCT?
Medicare does not cover the cost of OCT. Most ophthalmology practices charge for OCT. However, at MCES, OCT is included as standard when you take advantage of any of our package deals.
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Getting to know Melbourne Comprehensive Eye Surgeons
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About us
Melbourne Comprehensive Eye Surgeons offers holistic eye care. Our modern purpose-built facility has been designed to provide a comfortable and relaxing place for our patients to receive the best possible ophthalmic care.
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We have the latest, highly specialised diagnostic and therapeutic equipment. The facility is completely integrated using the most up-to-date and state-of-the-art IT available. Our friendly and experienced staff are trained to make your visit pleasant, and we strive to avoid any lengthy delays.
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Opening hours
Monday to Friday 8.30 am to 5.00 pm
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Your appointment
Appointments take at least two hours. This will provide time for your eye to be tested, dilated and examined. It gives us time to explain any problem you have and advise on the best course of treatment.
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Parking
We have ample onsite parking. There is a lift to access the building.
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What to bring
- Your glasses.
- Your drops.
- A list of all current medication.
- Diabetics are recommended to bring a small snack.
- Do not wear your contact lenses. If you are being referred for cataract surgery, you should avoid wearing them for one week prior to your appointment.
- Prior to an initial cataract assessment, please use lubricating eye drops 3-4 times per day up until your appointment. Suggested lubricates can be purchased at any chemist without a prescription, these include Systane, Optive and refresh.
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Arrange a driver
Most patients will need their eyes dilated. Dilation will cause temporary blurred vision, more noticeably for fine print work. This may make it difficult for you to drive for 2-4 hours after the drops, therefore we strongly advise you arrange a driver or use public transport.
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Your referral
The Medicare rebate will not be available without a valid referral. It is important that we know why we are seeing you so we can advise the best doctor for you, and give an accurate estimation of cost.
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Our packages
Not all meals at a restaurant cost the same amount. Similarly, not all eye problems take the same amount of time or require the same investigations. At Melbourne Comprehensive Eye Surgeons we have developed packages for the most common eye complaints in order to provide you with the best possible value.
We can only offer a package deal if your referral makes it clear what condition you have.
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Payment policy
All payments are settled on the day. There are no exceptions.
We do not bulk bill-please do not ask.
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Cancellations
Please advise us with at least two business days notice if you cannot make your appointment. If you do not attend your scheduled appointment without notifying us a $100 cancellation fee may apply.
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Refer a friend
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The best way you can thank us is to recommend us to your friends or provide written feedback.
- We promise to offer your friends the same professional and compassionate care that we are renowned for
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Rights, responsibilities and the Privacy Act
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Your rights
Rights are essential to make sure that, wherever and whenever health care is provided, it is of high quality and is safe. Your rights include:
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- Access: a right to access health care.
- Safety: a right to receive safe and high quality health care, or to refuse treatment.
- Respect: a right to be shown respect, and to be treated with dignity and consideration.
- Communication: a right to be informed about services, treatment, options and costs in a clear and open way.
- Participation: a right to be included in decisions and to make choices about your health care.
- Privacy: a right to privacy and confidentiality of your personal information.
- Comment: a right to comment on your health care, and to have your concerns addressed.
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Responsibilities
As a patient, you also have responsibilities. These include:
- To treat staff and other patients with respect.
- To provide your health practitioner with all relevant health information, including your medical history and all medications you are currently taking.
- To advise staff of any change in your condition or problems with your treatment.
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Zero tolerance
‘To get respect, give respect, don’t make demands of others-ASK.’ Carthage BuckleyThe practice has a zero-tolerance policy for aggressive and violent behaviour. We have the right to withdraw provision of services from patients who are aggressive to our staff. You will be asked to leave the premises and police may be called. -
- know why your personal information is being collected, how it will be used and who it will be disclosed to
- have the option of not identifying yourself, or using an alias name in certain circumstances
- ask for access to your personal information (including your health information)
- ask for your personal information that is incorrect to be corrected
- make a complaint about an entity covered by the Privacy Act, if you consider that they have mishandled your personal information.
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The Privacy Act
The federal Privacy Act 1988 gives you greater control over the way that your personal information is handled. The Privacy Act allows you to:
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References
http://healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/U_Z/Your-rights-and-responsibilities-as-a-patient
https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy-law/rights-and-responsibilities
