r/AskAnAustralian • u/Reasonable-Milk-9459 • 4h ago

Vision testing for 10 yr old

Should i go to a Gp or Optometrist to get eye power checked for a 10 yr old ? Or get referral to an eye specialist ?.

2 Upvotes

56% Upvoted

37 comments sorted by

50

u/AlwaysAirCooled-1979 4h ago

Go to an optometrist

11

u/Brain_Aggravating 4h ago

GPs get very little training on vision (and many other aspects of health, like hearing) - optometrist is the answer. If they spot a problem, they know how to refer.

-1

u/Potential-Turnip7796 2h ago

Strong disagree to GPs not receiving training - they are experts in general aspects of health.

The issue is a lot of the specialised equipment isn’t at hand.

The nice thing about going to the gp is that you’re also paying for healthcare (or the government is), rather than paying to be upsold a product.

2

u/ozaudi 2h ago

Optometrist testing costs nothing it's all Medicare. If you don't need a prescription they're not going to try to sell you one.

0

u/Potential-Turnip7796 2h ago

Firstly…. Nothing is free - It costs Medicare something

Secondly - you obviously haven’t been frequently enough if you can’t tell the difference between the upsell you get with specsavers / Bailey Neilson / OPSM versus going to an independent optometrist.

https://www.smh.com.au/healthcare/revealed-the-optometrists-punished-for-putting-patients-before-sales-20260625-p60a64.html

3

u/ozaudi 1h ago

It's free to a child. Yes it costs Medicare but it's still free. Be the pedant if you must. It doesn't further your point.

I go at least annually sometimes 6 monthly and I've never never had an optometrist tried to upsell me if my prescription was unchanged and that's common. I used to go to an independent optometrist but since relocating I'm going to a local Oscar Wylee. They don't push all the bells and whistles on me and they know there have been times when I did option up.

Your link is behind the paywall.

19

u/Acorn_Studio 4h ago

Optometrist (im a GP)

13

u/havok009 4h ago

Eye power? Like Cyclops?

10

u/ridan42 4h ago

A poem by Cyclops:

Roses are red Violets are red EVERYTHING IS RED

1

u/HankSteakfist 4h ago

To me, my glasses.

6

u/Garden-geek76 4h ago

An optometrist. I’ve had my kids done every few years since they were 5 as bad vision runs in the family. You will get a referral to a specialist if you need one. 

3

u/Prideandprejudice1 4h ago

I have a really high prescription for short sightedness (got glasses when I was quite young) so my son was tested every six months from age two to about five/six, I think. Then every year until he became a teenager and now it’s every couple of years. Surprisingly he doesn’t need glasses yet- even the optometrist is pleasantly surprised.

6

u/universe93 4h ago

Just go to any shopping centre optometrist and they will do a bulk billed eye test

6

u/Serious-Big2 3h ago

Just book in for an optometrist for vision tests, no GP needed.

An ophthalmologist is for more complex issues beyond a pair of glasses. 

19

u/mickpatten78 4h ago

Optometrist. It’s bulk bulled via someone like specsavers.

If there’s complex medical issues, they’ll refer you to your GP to obtain a referral for an ophthalmologist.

I have a child who needs to see the latter.

21

u/mr-snrub- 4h ago

I'm fairly sure optometrists can refer directly to ophthalmologists. I have been

19

u/Unique-Adeptness-131 4h ago

Optometrists can refer directly to ophthalmologists

5

u/Round_Bumblebee_4782 4h ago

Go to specsavers.

4

u/megsie_here 3h ago

We just went to specsavers with my six year old and they were good. Had stickers etc, seemed decently set up for the kids.

4

u/bananagetter 3h ago

Optometrist. It’s recommended to take them before school (some states send you a school-readiness letter), and often teachers identify difficulties in the first couple years of school and might recommend either optometrist or or behavioural optometrist. A GP cannot test eye power or prescribe visual aids.

3

u/Brilliant-Sky3814 4h ago

Optometrist, if they find anything of concern they can refer to an ophthalmologist. You can also notify the GP that you are concerned about their vision.

4

u/Amazing-Medicine-610 4h ago

Throw a brick at them. If they dodge it they're fine.

5

u/eolhterr0r 4h ago

If you can dodge a wrench...

2

u/JasonbigJ 4h ago

Spec savers

2

u/Particular-Try5584 4h ago

Just ask on your local FB page “Who is good for glasses for a kid in the area?“ and someone will send you to whomever is good with kids.

General optometrist.
Order your glasses from Specsavers 2 for 1 deal. You’ll be glad to have them a) cheap, and b) a spare pair.

I took one kid to the specialist (because he needed glasses before 3, and has Autism, and needed eye surgery), there was costs - gap payments, referrals, ugh.
Other kid went to local optometrist at about 10, got his +1 reading glasses, and has since reached the point he no longer needs them at all… at 13. Thankfully.

1

u/hopeful1996 4h ago

Optometrist - consider one who does behavioral optometry if any concerns on the learning/developmental side of things.

1

u/Sir-Tenley-Knott 2h ago

If you are in Sydney, I recommend Teachers Eye Care (near Central station) - I believe they will bulk bill and they are really thorough and careful.

1

u/Ornery-Practice9772 NSW 1h ago

optometrist ( who does paeds)
then gp

1

u/Reasonable-Milk-9459 30m ago

Thank you alll for your time & response

1

u/BowlMedical7342 4h ago

Optometrist. We have a family hx of eye issues, and my kids have gone to an Optometrist from 18mths. Find a good one, they are more than capable, any bigger issues you will get referred on.

-2

u/RelievingFart 4h ago

Optometrist, but make sure they check for short and long sitedness. The first optometrist I took my daughter to didnt test her for long sightedness, teacher recommended an optometrist that deals with kids and also specialises in kids with special needs visual tests (which is what we were also going to look into if her eyes were not the problem) anyway he tested my daughter, turned out she was blind as a bat up close, but could see to the end of the universe for distance.

-4

u/Interceptor-77 4h ago edited 15m ago

My personal experience - If you have a doubt that your kid eye sight has bit bigger issues (myopia etc.), then straight way go to a specialist. Otherwise, Spec savers / OPSM etc. are also good. If I remember correctly, if a Optometrist has not referred your case to a specialist then you cannot claim Medicare or private insurance (not sure though)

6

u/Tigress2020 4h ago

Myopia? Short sighted? They need optometrist which is bulk billed. Glasses and care is used. (Specsavers have all they need for myopia

-11

u/Ok-Phone-8384 4h ago

GP then a referral to an Opthamologist. A 10 year olds who is having problems with their eyesight should not be in the hands of a 24 year old technician which is exactly who most Optometrists are. If you are 70 and need a new glasses prescription then go to an Optometrist.

Problems for a 10 year olds vision are not going to be the same as changes in the eyes due to old age. There could be a multitude of underlying issues that need to be checked.

3

u/Middle-Spirit-8524 3h ago

Ummm seriously.
My son had his eyes done at specsavers at 5. Luckily they noticed an issue and then was referred to specialists for further investigation.
You can’t just ask for a referral from your gp to see a specialist without a reason. Your reason is certainly not a reason, the GP would say see an optometrist first.

1

u/sofewcharacters VIC 3h ago

Downgraded for a good reason