Patient Information
The ASO wants to help patients, families, and carers better understand specialist eye healthcare — who delivers it, how it is delivered, and the best ways to navigate your own eye health treatment journey.
We want every person to feel informed and in control when it comes to their eye health journey.
Below are some resources developed for patients by the ASO.
What is an 'Ophthalmologist'?
An ophthalmologist is a medical specialist who diagnoses and treats disorders of the eye and visual system.
Ophthalmologists are trained and registered to provide total care of eyes — from performing comprehensive eye examinations to prescribing corrective lenses, diagnosing diseases and disorders of the eye, and carrying out the medical and surgical procedures necessary for their treatment.
Ophthalmologists practice medicine and surgery, providing both primary care and highly specialised treatment.
They are the only providers of laser and surgical correction of eye disorders.
In Australia to train as an Ophthalmologist, a person must:
- complete a Bachelor of Medicine (4–6 years)
- fulfill internship, residency, and registrar training (4–6 years)
- achieve Fellowship of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (2 years).
All ophthalmologists practising in Australia must be registered with the Medical Board through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.
This tool has been developed to help you locate an ophthalmologist close to where you live, who regularly treats the eye condition you might be seeking treatment for.
All ophthalmologists listed on the Find an Ophthalmologist directory are members of the ASO.
Our eyes are vital. They are the portal through which our brain processes information about the world around us.
At some point in most people’s lives, their eyes will require treatment from an eye specialist — an ophthalmologist.
The ASO wants to make sure that when this happens, patients have the information they need to navigate their eye health journey with ease.
Out-of-pocket costs are a hot topic when it comes to healthcare in Australia.
The ASO has developed a selection of resources to help consumers better understand what out-of-pocket medical costs are and why we have them.
Australians are increasingly frustrated by the value they get from private health insurance.
Getting the most out of your private health insurance policy is a priority.
In 2018, the ASO launched the Private Health Insurance Switch Campaign to remind every Australian who pays for private health insurance that they can switch health funds at any time.
Every patient's journey is unique, but helpful support and understanding can be found among those facing the same challenges and experiences as you.
