OUT OF TOWN PATIENTS
Are You Travelling to Brisbane for Eye Surgery?
We manage patients throughout Queensland and Northern New South Wales. We frequently see patients from regional areas who seek a second opinion or require complex surgery or laser treatment. These services are often not available where they live. Whether it is to perform an operation to repair a retinal detachment, provide a second opinion, or conduct a yearly routine comprehensive eye examination, we are here to help you.
If you are requiring emergency surgery, we will make every effort and work with the hospital and anaesthetists to fast-track your admission.
Travelling To City Eye Centre
Prior to travelling to Brisbane, we recommend communicating with our friendly reception staff either by email or phone. This ensures we have received a referral letter with your eye history from either your GP, optometrist, medical specialist, or another ophthalmologist.
As a potential new patient of City Eye Centre, we also recommend reading our patient resource pages on what to expect on the day of your consultation. Make sure you have completed and returned a new patient data collection form. To help plan your trip, please visit Contact Us > Location for directions to our practice.
Staying in Brisbane for Surgery or Procedure
If you are seeking a second opinion, it may be possible to schedule an appointment and undergo the diagnostic imaging, examination, and consultation with Dr Lee. In this case, you can arrive and return home on the same day.
Otherwise, if you are traveling in for surgery, you may need to plan to stay in Brisbane for one to four weeks after surgery. One week may be sufficient if you do not need a gas bubble as part of your vitrectomy surgery, such as in an epiretinal membrane peel or repositioning of a dislocated intraocular lens.
A longer stay may be necessary if you require a gas bubble in your eye after surgery. This is most often used to repair retinal detachments and macular holes. You must wait for the gas bubble to dissipate on its own after surgery. This is important if you plan to return home by plane. Alternatively, transport by car or train is required if the gas bubble is still present in the eye.
For patients receiving PDT/Visudyne laser treatments, you may be required to stay in Brisbane for a couple of days. Visit the accommodation page under Patient Resources for options.
Travelling to Brisbane for Specialist Care – Government Support
If you are from rural areas where there are no available specialists to treat your specific condition, you may be eligible for the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme (PTSS). Your GP or local hospital may provide you with more information. Patients attending an appointment with us will need to complete Form C – Appointment Attendance.
Do you have questions or concerns about booking an appointment for an eye examination or procedure? To discuss, please contact City Eye Centre and our friendly team is ready to help.
