Eye health services
Eyecare is delivered by 3 main types of professionals:
- optometrists - focuses on primary vision care, including eye exams and prescribing glasses or contact lenses
- orthoptist - a health care professional who is specially trained to assess patients with eye mobility issues
- ophthalmologists - a doctor who specialises in diagnosing and treating eye disorders and diseases.
If advanced treatment or specialised care is required, optometrists can refer patients to ophthalmologists for further evaluation and management.
Orthoptist
The orthoptists work closely within the ophthalmology team both within the hospital and the outreach service.
Services are provided to children and adults who have been referred by their healthcare provider for eye conditions that may include:
- children with visual concerns, especially with strabismus (squint)
- adults with double vision from nerve palsies or trauma
- measuring progress, and conduct movement tests before and after surgery
- performing scans including prior to cataract surgery.
Ophthalmologist
The Northern Territory (NT) Health ophthalmology provides a wide range of clinical and surgical services across the NT including patients from eastern Western Australia and northern South Australia.
Services are provided to children and adults who have been referred by their optometrist or healthcare provider for eye conditions that may include:
- age related macular degeneration
- cataract screening
- diabetic retinopathy
- glaucoma
- pterygium
- reduced vision
- dry eye and epiphora
- chalazion and styes
- one ‘seeing eye’
- eye examination
- refraction and spectacles.
How to arrange a referral
Referrals can be made by healthcare providers and optometrists.
If your optometrist bulk bills, Medicare may cover the cost of your appointment, you can find out more on the Health Direct website.
Referrals can be sent to:
- Greater Darwin and Palmerston region RDHOPDReferrals.DOH@nt.gov.au
- East Arnhem region OutpatientsGDH.DoH@nt.gov.au
- Katherine region KHOPD.THS@nt.gov.au
- Central Australia and Barkly region EyeBookingOfficerASH.DOH@nt.gov.au.
Outreach programs
Optometrist's provide primary eye care services to remote parts of the Northern Territory.
Services include:
- general eye care screening
- diabetes eye checks
- spectacle prescription
- post-operative cataract/pterygium follow up.
Further referrals can be made to the ophthalmologist team.
Check the visiting medical services calendar.