Question 1

How often should I have an eye test in Australia?

Accepted Answer

The recommended frequency for eye tests varies by age and risk factors which are determined by your optometrists.

Children: At Kimber Optical we recommend that all children should have an examination every 12 months starting from the age of 3-5. Regular checks are crucial to identify and treat any vision problems that may impact learning and development.

Adults aged under 65: Typically at Kimber Optical we recommend every 18 months to have a short consultation to address any symptoms or signs that you have noticed day to day.

Adults aged over 65: Generally every 12 months or shorter is recommended as the risk of age-related eye conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, and age macular degeneration increases significantly. At Kimber Optical we will help determine and prebook your return visits to monitor each individual appropriately.

Question 2

My vision seems fine do I still need an eye test?

Accepted Answer

At Kimber optical, consultations go beyond just looking for vision changes and vision problems. Our optometrists will also be examining the health of your eyes and in some cases will be able to pick up any early signs of serious conditions which you may not have noticed just yet.

Unfortunately some of these conditions develop silently and by the time you notice a visual change it has already caused some damage to your eyes.

Question 3

What happens during a comprehensive eye test?

Accepted Answer

At Kimber optical, a comprehensive eye test to us looks like this:

Discussing your general health, family eye history, any vision concerns, any ocular symptoms that you may have experienced and lifestyle questions
Checking your visual acuity in the distance and for up close
Refraction to determine the spectacle or contact lens prescription
Eye health examination using minimally invasive techniques to assess the important aspects of your eyes. This includes using a table mounted microscope and potentially digital imaging machines and cameras. 
Additional tests may be performed depending on your individual needs. This may include corneal topography, OCT or visual fields.

Our optometrist will tailor each consultation to your specific needs. No two eyes look the same!

Question 4

Are eye tests covered by medicare?

Accepted Answer

Yes!

For eligible Australians, most routine eye tests will be bulk billed to Medicare - this means that there will not be an out of pocket fee for the examination itself.

Additional specialised tests including advanced services such as hard contact lens fitting or certain imaging scans may incur a private fee. At Kimber Optical we will explain all the costs up front if there is one so you are not surprised at the end of the consultation!

Question 5

How do I know if I need glasses or contact lenses?

Accepted Answer

If you experience any symptoms including blurry vision, headaches, eye strains or difficulty with specific visual tasks such as driving, reading, working on the computer or reading - an eye test would be the first step to determine whether you need glasses or contact lenses.

At Kimber Optical we will be able to guide you and discuss with your lifestyle in mind the best option to help you see better!

Question 6

Can I wear contact lenses even if I have astigmatism or need multifocals?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely!

Contact lens technology has advanced quite significantly - at Kimber Optical we are well experienced at prescribing contact lenses for individuals with astigmatism (toric contact lenses) and even multifocal contact lenses for those who may be interested!

Question 7

How long does it take to get used to new glasses or contact lenses?

Accepted Answer

Most people can adapt to single vision glasses within a few hours whereas multifocal spectacle glasses can take a little longer for the brain to learn the different viewing zones.

Soft contact lenses usually feel comfortable almost immediately whereas hard lenses such as ortho-keratology and rigid gas permeable lenses could take a few weeks to fully get used to.

Our optometrist will be able to guide you appropriately and set the right expectations depending on your needs and wishes.

Question 8

Why can’t I see up close anymore as I get older?

Accepted Answer

This is a normal-age related change called presbyopia. As we age, the natural lens we have in our eye becomes less flexible and loses its ability to focus on near objects. This makes all near tasks such as reading books, using the computer, phones, and other tasks difficult.

Fortunately it can be corrected and at Kimber Optical we will present to you all the options including spectacle or contact lens correction to solve your specific problem.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS