You would need a referral to see one. They may charge up $100 I wouldn't think any more than $200 for the initial consult. You would also get a rebate from Medicare. You can get the initial consultation item number from the Opthalmologist and then look up MBS online to check the Medicare rebate. The Optometrist can write the referral.
If you go to an Optom, they are would not prescribe glasses if she didn't need them, they may even do both, glasses and patch depending on the severity of the lazy eye.
Ask the Optom if he knows what the local Opthal charges.
Just one thing you may need to think about, it would be worth looking into PHI for DD just in case she needs the turn operated on for correction and check that she would be covered for the operation, as in incase they turn around and say it is a pre existing condition and would not be covered. You can go public and be on the wait list if PHI is too much.
we had DD's initial consultation in the PRIVATE clinic at RCH - was 180 and we got 80 back. the public clinic would be very different. there may be a paed opthamologist more local to you than RCH - i went to that one due to recommendation of both another patient, and my optometrist i've been seeing for several years myself
an optometrist is highly unlikely to suggest glasses for a lazy/turned eye (they will usually call it a squint) - if there are other factors that may require glasses at a later time, it might be done earlier though because of the squint (does that make sense??). for instance, my DD has astigmatisms as well as a slight turn in her eye. it is possible that, by 2.5, we will be needing to get her glasses on top of patching. but that is more due to the astigmatisms than the tutn...
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