About MetWest Eye Centre
MetWest’s Ophthalmologists are available to treat the following conditions
- Cataracts
- Glaucoma
- Diabetic eye disease
- Retinal disease
- Macular degeneration
- Pterygium/Pingueculae
- Ocular plastics
- Dry eyes
- Neurological eye disease
- Cancers of the eye
- Adult Strabismus (squint) correction
- Chalazion
- Floaters
- Blepharitis
- Watery eyes
A referral letter from your general practitioner or optometrist is required every 12 months. This is to enable you to claim a rebate from Medicare Australia.
Your appointment may take up to 3 hours. You may have dilating drops instilled in your eyes in order for the ophthalmologist to see the back of your eye. These drops may take between 20-40 minutes to work. Your eyes may be blurry for a period of hours after your visit. We recommend you bring someone with you to drive you home, and a pair of sunglasses to reduce the incidence of glare.
Your doctor may recommend additional diagnostic procedures to be undertaken on specialised equipment. These may include:
Humphrey Visual Field test
This is a test for your side vision. Many different eye conditions, such as glaucoma and optic neuritis can affect your peripheral vision as well as your central vision. Field tests reveal if there is any loss of side vision which is often not detected because we normally use our central vision. It is common to have to repeat visual field tests on a regular basis to check if there has been any change. Field tests take approximately 30 minutes to complete.
Pachymetry
This is a test to measure the thickness of the cornea (the front surface of your eye). It is important for diagnosis and management of glaucoma as it helps us to predict the ideal pressure for your eye.
Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT)
SLT is a simple laser procedure that aims to reduce the elevated intraocular pressure in the eye, associated with glaucoma. The laser is used to make microscopic burns in the drainage system of the eye, to help decrease the pressure in the eye. The procedure itself takes about 10 to 15 minutes, however the Ophthalmologist often instils eye drops beforehand, to assist in the laser procedure. It is quite common for the Ophthalmologist to perform two laser sessions per eye over several weeks. Normal glaucoma drops need to be continued throughout this period.
Ascan (Ultra-sound)
This is the measurement of the length of your eye, usually prior to Cataract surgery. It uses ultrasound waves to measure the length of your eye and the different structures within it and is an integral part in deciding the new lens that will be inserted into your eye.
Fundal Photography
It is quite common for your Ophthalmologist to want photos of the back of your eye. Often, one of the Orthoptists (or assistants) will do this. The photographs help your doctor to monitor the back of your eye and the different structures within it, so that they compare the photo with your eye at your next visit. The photo will often show your optic disc and your macula, two important structures at the back of your eye – feel free to ask questions about what you see in the photo.
OCT
Optical Coherence Tomography is the one of the latest technologies that takes a topographical map of the back of your eye using laser scanning techniques. Depending on the area that your Ophthalmologist wishes to concentrate on, the test can look at your macula, optic disc or general retina. An OCT scan can monitor changes in macula degeneration, macula hole, and the nerve fibre layer that is effected in conditions such as glaucoma.
Fluorescein Angiography
A fluorescein angiogram is a yellow dye test used to detect changes and abnormalities in the retina. The dye is injected into your arm and once in the blood stream is able to be photographed in the vessels that are in the back of your eye. Fluorescein angiograms are used in conditions such as diabetic retinopathy and macula degeneration.
Minor Ops
At MetWest Eye Centre we have a dedicated Minor Procedure room which is used for procedures such as chalazion removal, probing of tear ducts, removal of sutures and some excisions. Your Ophthalmologist will decide whether or not your individual condition is suitable for treatment in the Minor Procedure room or requires the use of our dedicated onsite Day Surgery.
Yag Capsulotomy
After lens insertion during cataract surgery, the implanted lens can develop a membrane that slowly reduces your vision. This is not another cataract that requires surgery. The membrane can be taken away with laser – a painless procedure, performed in the rooms, that does not usually need to be repeated.
B-scan
A B-scan is an ultrasound of your eye and its contents. It can be helpful in the diagnosis of conditions such as retinal detachment, and in the monitoring of some changes in the eye. Your eye is closed during the b-scan, and the doctor scans through your eyelid to look at the inside of your eye.
Please visit our FAQ page for Frequently Asked Questions on treatments, conditions and general enquiries.
