LASER EYE SURGERY FAQS
Here I answer your most common questions about laser eye surgery
The cost depends on which surgery you have. This will be determined at the time of your initial assessment.
There are a few health funds which do cover refractive laser procedures. These are constantly changing, and it may be worth enquiring if your health fund does cover this surgery or not. There is no refund from Medicare.
We ask that you pay in full before the surgery. Payment can be by cash, credit card or direct bank deposit. We have an agreement with a secondary micro-lending service (PayRite)
- Eye Laser Specialists, 1209 High Street, Armadale
- Mornington Peninsula Eye Clinic, 956 Nepean Highway, Mornington
The initial assessment takes about 1 hour. You have numerous tests. Your pupils will be dilated at the time of the assessment, and as a result, you should not drive yourself to the clinic.
Laser eye surgery procedures: Eye Laser Specialists, 1209 High Street, Armadale
No. You cannot drive yourself home from the surgery as your vision will be blurry, and you will have had a mild sedative.
No. Surgery is done using anaesthetic drops. You can feel pressure on the eye but no pain.2
LASIK/SMILE/PRK surgery takes about 10 minutes. However, you can expect to be in the facility for about 2 hours.
I recommend that you return to work no sooner than 2 to 3 days after your surgery.
You can usually drive the day after surgery. I would recommend that you have someone drive you to the post-op appointment to ensure that your vision has recovered sufficiently to the point that you can drive safely.
LENS BASED SURGERY FAQS
Here I answer your most common questions about lens based surgery
The surgery takes place at The Avenue Hospital, Windsor.
Cataract surgery is covered by health insurance (the level of cover is different for each individual insurer and plan). Clear extractions and ICL’s are not covered by private health insurance.
Costs vary according to your insurance coverage and the surgery being performed.
No. You will need someone to drive you home after your surgery. You will be seen either the following day or within two weeks when you will be assessed, and your ability to drive will be noted.
Everyone is different. Some patients can return to work within the first week after surgery.
About Eye Laser Specialists
Our experts bring a combined 40 years of eye surgery experience to Melbourne
Dr Anton van Heerden, MBCHB; FRANZCO
Ophthalmologist & Laser Eye Surgeon
Based in Melbourne, but with a reputation that transcends borders, Dr Van Heerden sets the highest bar for laser vision correction surgery in Australia. While his skills and experience are second to none, it is his fun, caring and down to earth nature that truly set’s him apart from the rest. You can sit back and enjoy the journey knowing every detail has been carefully considered.
Dr Edward Roufail, PHD, FRANZCO
Ophthalmologist & Specialist Eye Surgeon
Dr Roufail is an experienced Ophthalmologist with extensive experience in intraocular surgery. He performs well over 500 intraocular surgeries a year treating retinal detachment, diabetic eye disease, surgical macular disease, cataract and refractive surgery.
