• Private Health Insurance details

• DVA or Pension Card (if applicable)

• Current glasses

• List of your regular medications

• Any eye drops you are currently using

• Contact details for your GP and optometrist

• Copy of your referral

• Sunglasses

Duration

• New patients: ~2 hours

• Review patients: ~1 hour

  What Happens:

• Pupil dilation, retinal scans, full examination and consultation

• Emergency cases may cause delays; staff will keep you updated

  Driving:

• Do not drive yourself after your appointment due to dilating drops. Arrange transport via family, taxi, or public transport.

• Referral: Required for a Medicare rebate (from your GP or optometrist). Without a referral, you can still attend but will not receive a rebate.

• Private Health Insurance: Covers hospital-based procedures but not clinic consultations, injections, or lasers.

• No Insurance: Dr Dhanji welcomes uninsured patients. A full estimate of costs will be provided before any procedure.

 Fasting:

• Morning surgery – nothing to eat/drink after midnight

• Afternoon surgery – early breakfast, then no food from 6:30 am; plain water allowed until 2 hours before

  Bring to Hospital:

• Medicare Card, Health Insurance details, DVA/Pension Card

• List of regular medications

• Payment for any health fund excess

  Clothing & Personal Items:

• Wear loose clothing; no contact lenses, make-up, perfume, or jewellery.

• Expect to be there for about half a day

• Most eye surgery is done under sedation with local anaesthetic (eye block), not full general anaesthesia.

• You must have a responsible adult escort you home – required for sedation and discharg

• Common Symptoms: Mild discomfort, gritty sensation, blurred vision, light sensitivity, red eye (usually improves within a week).

• Cataract Surgery: Vision usually improves within days.

• Retinal Surgery: Gas bubble may blur vision for 1–3 weeks; do not fly until cleared.

• Pain or Worsening Vision: Contact Dr Dhanji’s clinic, your optometrist, or attend your nearest emergency department immediately.

• Wear eye shield at night for 3 nights after surgery.

• Sunglasses during the day.

• No heavy lifting (>5 kg) or strenuous activity for 2 weeks.

• No swimming or eye makeup for 4 weeks.

• Keep the eye dry when showering.

• Chloramphenicol 4× daily for 1 week and Prednisolone 4× daily for 4 weeks.

• Space drops 5 minutes apart.

• Resume glaucoma drops and regular medications the day after surgery (if applicable).

Time Off Work:

• Cataract: ~3 days (up to 1 week)

• Retinal: 1–2 weeks (longer if gas bubble present)

  Driving: Only when vision is clear and comfortable; gas bubble patients cannot drive until bubble is gone.

  Flying:

• Cataract – safe anytime

• Retinal – no flying or altitude travel until bubble is gone

Floaters: Moving spots, cobwebs, or lines in your vision.

Flashes: Brief arcs or flickers of light in your peripheral vision.

Warning Signs: Sudden increase in floaters, flashes, loss of vision, or curtain effect – seek urgent same/next day eye examination.

Possible Causes: Posterior vitreous detachment (PVD), retinal tear, or retinal detachment.

Treatment:

• PVD – usually no treatment, but follow-up needed

• Retinal tear – laser treatment in clinic

• Retinal detachment – surgery (vitrectomy or scleral buckle)

This information is general and intended for patients of Dr Dhanji. It is not a substitute for personalised medical advice. Always consult your own eye care professional.