NewDocLog in

Get an ophthalmologist referral online. Bulk billed

See a GP via telehealth and, if clinically appropriate, receive your eye specialist referral letter by email. No out-of-pocket costs for eligible Medicare patients.

When you need an ophthalmologist referral

An ophthalmologist is a medical and surgical eye specialist. Common reasons for referral include cataracts that are starting to affect reading, driving or night vision, suspected glaucoma or ongoing glaucoma monitoring, diabetic eye disease checks for people with diabetes, macular degeneration, styes or a chalazion that persists despite simple care and may need a minor procedure, and squint or a suspected lazy eye in children.

Do you need a referral to see an ophthalmologist? Yes, if you want a Medicare rebate on the specialist fee: both GPs and optometrists commonly refer, and optometrists can refer directly to ophthalmologists under Medicare. With NewDoc, a GP can assess your situation via a bulk billed telehealth consultation and, where clinically appropriate, email you the referral letter.

Eye emergencies: do not wait for a referral

Some eye symptoms need emergency in-person care now, never a routine referral wait: sudden loss or blurring of vision, new flashes of light with a shower of new floaters or a shadow moving across your vision, which can signal retinal detachment, a painful red eye, any significant eye injury, and chemical splashes to the eye. For chemical exposure, rinse the eye with clean water continuously and call 000 or go straight to an emergency department. You can check public ED wait times, but do not let a queue delay you.

Hours matter for a detaching retina or a chemical burn, and emergency departments and on-call eye services exist precisely for eyes at immediate risk. If in doubt about any sudden eye change, treat it as urgent and seek same-day in-person care rather than booking a telehealth appointment.

Optometrist or ophthalmologist: which do you need?

An optometrist handles routine eye care: eye tests, glasses and contact lens prescriptions, and screening for eye disease. You do not need any referral to see an optometrist, and many eye problems are picked up there first. Not every irritated eye needs a specialist either: straightforward conjunctivitis, for example, is usually managed by a GP.

An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who diagnoses and treats eye disease and performs eye surgery. Seeing one with a Medicare rebate requires a referral, and that referral can come from your GP or your optometrist. The GP route suits situations where your wider health matters to the eye problem, such as diabetes, or where you want assessment, referral and any related paperwork handled in one telehealth consultation.

Telehealth GP assessment for eye concerns

During your telehealth consultation, the GP will ask how long the problem has been present, whether it affects one or both eyes, whether your vision has changed, what an optometrist has found if you have seen one, and about conditions that affect the eyes, particularly diabetes. For people with diabetes, regular dilated eye checks are recommended, at least every two years and often yearly where risk is higher, and the GP can issue the referral for that check when it falls due.

Telehealth has an honest limit for eyes: a GP cannot examine the back of your eye over video. It works well for referrals where the diagnosis is already known or the need is clear, such as cataract assessment, a routine diabetic eye check, or a chalazion that has persisted for months. New, unexplained or worrying eye symptoms are directed to same-day in-person care instead, because that is the safer path.

What to expect at the ophthalmologist

At your first appointment, expect your vision to be measured, your eye pressure checked, and dilating drops used so the specialist can examine the retina and optic nerve. Dilation blurs near vision for a few hours, so bring sunglasses and avoid driving straight after. Depending on the concern, the ophthalmologist may also take detailed scans of the retina or optic nerve.

Management ranges from monitoring at set intervals, common for early cataracts and glaucoma suspicion, through to laser treatment or surgery, including cataract surgery. The ophthalmologist reports back to your referring GP, and often to your optometrist, so routine eye care and medical care stay coordinated.

Medicare and costs

The GP telehealth consultation to obtain your ophthalmologist referral is bulk billed for eligible Medicare patients, with no out-of-pocket cost, and the referral letter is included at no extra charge.

With a valid referral from a GP or optometrist, Medicare provides a rebate for ophthalmologist consultations and many eye investigations. The out-of-pocket cost depends on whether the specialist bulk bills or charges a gap, so ask when you book. Public hospital eye clinics are generally free with a referral, with longer waits. A standard GP referral lasts 12 months from your first specialist visit; see the referral FAQ for renewals and expiry.

Reviewed by Dr. Jason Yu FRACGP

Last reviewed 2 August 2026. Editorial policy

Ready to see a GP?

Book a bulk-billed telehealth consult in under 2 minutes: $0 with Medicare if eligible.

Or call 0485 049 710

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a referral to see an ophthalmologist?

Yes, if you want Medicare to contribute to the specialist fee. An ophthalmologist consultation attracts a Medicare rebate only with a valid referral, and both GPs and optometrists commonly refer: optometrists can refer directly to ophthalmologists under Medicare. Without a referral you can still book privately, but you pay the full fee. A standard GP referral lasts 12 months, measured from your first visit to the specialist.

Can I get an ophthalmologist referral via telehealth?

Yes, for non-urgent concerns. A GP can take your history by video or phone and write a valid referral where clinically appropriate, for example for cataract assessment, a diabetic eye check or a persistent chalazion. Telehealth has an honest limit, though: a GP cannot examine the back of your eye remotely, so new or unexplained eye symptoms may be directed to in-person care first.

What is the difference between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist?

An optometrist provides routine eye tests, prescribes glasses and contact lenses, and screens for eye disease; you do not need a referral to see one. An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who specialises in eye disease and eye surgery, treating conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma and retinal disease. Seeing an ophthalmologist with a Medicare rebate requires a referral, which either your GP or your optometrist can write.

What eye symptoms are an emergency?

Sudden loss or blurring of vision, new flashes of light with a shower of new floaters or a shadow across your vision, a painful red eye, any significant eye injury, and chemical splashes to the eye. These need emergency in-person care immediately, not a referral. For chemical exposure, rinse the eye with clean water continuously and call 000 or go straight to an emergency department.

How often should people with diabetes have their eyes checked?

Regular dilated eye checks are a core part of diabetes care, because early diabetic eye disease often has no symptoms. Australian guidance recommends a check at least every two years when no eye changes are known, and more often, commonly every year, where retinopathy has been found or risk is higher. Your GP can issue the referral and advise the right interval for you.

Is the GP consultation for the referral bulk billed?

Yes, for eligible Medicare patients. The NewDoc telehealth consultation is bulk billed to Medicare at no out-of-pocket cost, and the referral letter is included at no extra charge.

What will the ophthalmologist do at the first appointment?

Expect your vision to be measured, your eye pressure checked, and drops used to dilate your pupils so the specialist can examine the back of the eye. Bring sunglasses and avoid driving straight afterwards, as dilation blurs near vision for a few hours. Depending on the concern, the specialist may take scans of the retina or optic nerve, then discuss a management plan and report back to your GP.

Other services