OzSTOC
General Category => Members Health & Wellbeing => Topic started by: Kev Murphy on February 18, 2023, 04:07:47 PM
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Had my eyes tested 3 weeks ago, results not good.
I have difficulty in reading text on computer screen or phone.
New glasses required, with word that I must wear them at all times when I drive or ride.
Glasses have not yet arrived.
Also have to budget, as glasses cost over $1000. (Bifocal, photo sensitive)
Specialist appointment in Mount Gambier next Monday to address loss of vision due to cataracts (20% loss of vision) A friend is driving me to and from my appointment, they do not bulk bill.
Waiting list for surgery unknown at the moment (at another mega cost)
Bugger, isn't it a bitch to grow old?
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Bugger, isn't it a bitch to grow old?
Don't know, will let you know in a few years.
Re. bifocals, I had trouble getting use to them, so I went multifocals. This was ten years or more back, best specs ever. Sharp and crisp vison for reading, watching speedo and GPS, and better vision in medium and long range.
Shoulda gone to Specsavers, I get two pair multifocals (one pair clear lenses, the other tinted) for around $300, after private health insurance rebate around $100. I get new pairs every second year or so.
Re. cataracts, I had both eyes done, must be 15 years ago. Took a coupla weeks for cloudy vision to come good and night vision much better. Don't remember the cost, as I'm guessing the private health insurance took most of the sting out of the bill.
For what it's worth, when it comes to renewing your licence, there's a question about any medical conditions that effects your driving / riding. DON"T answer yes, unless your driving / riding is REALLY effected. A 78 yo mate of mine (a bit of a goody two shoes) answered YES, VicRoads took away his licence. I said, Graham, "You were driving okay just a coupla weeks back." (We were giving his Honda S2000 a real work-out in the twisties over Mount Hotham without a problem.) He said, "Yeah I shoulda shut up."
There's an appeal process, pretty arduous and expensive, and he wasn't successful. He's had to sell his motor home, XR6, XR6 & Turbo and Suzuki 4WD. Keeping the Honda S200, next trip over the hill will be my turn to drive.
And his wife is really happy about doing all of the driving.
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Not good Kev
But I have been wearing Bifocals for a number of years. You just got to make sure they fit with your helmet on
Re. bifocals, I had trouble getting use to them, so I went multifocals.
I couldn't get used to multifocals, I would get half way through an intersection before I could read the street name so I went back to Bifocals
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Already chose the frames to fit my helmet, Leo :thumb
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Not good Kev
But I have been wearing Bifocals for a number of years. You just got to make sure they fit with your helmet on
Yes, a very good point.
Which reminds me, I take my helmet to the store and try 'em with my helmet on. The young guy mumbled something last time (with my hearing and the helmet on, I really did hear what he said) so asked him if he said that I looked like Tom Cruise? He said no, and that he asked if I was going for a cruise on my bike later.
But I felt good for 30 seconds.
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:rofl Wont stop me from attending RTE next weekend, I just dont like riding at night.
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:rofl Wont stop me from attending RTE next weekend, I just dont like riding at night.
:thumbs
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Cataract surgery restored my vision to 20/20, although it has dropped back a bit over the years, so I wear glasses for extended reading sessions again. As Williamson said, having private health insurance really pays off on those occasions. In QLD you can get them done in the Public system, but the wait is 2 years for one eye and another six months for the second.
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.... In QLD you can get them done in the Public system, but the wait is 2 years for one eye and another six months for the second.
An extended holiday in QLD might be worthwhile - every cloud has a silver lining.
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As some would know I had cataract surgery last October after a roughly 15 month wait, bear in mind Covid did screw up the waiting time.
Had my second eye done less than a month later so really can't complain about the wait time.
Only cost to me was the original payment when I saw the eye specialist to have laser treatment to relieve the pressure in my eyeballs.
While I was there he said he would put me on the waiting list to get my cataracts done which was actually news to me as I didn't know I even had cataracts! :o
So Kev, being a pensioner, the cataract surgery may cost you nix and, fingers crossed, they'll do the surgery at Warrnambool Hospital.
If they do try to slug you I'd be looking for another specialist! :popcorn
Good Luck! :thumbs
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Will be back online again late this afternoon with a progress report.
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Best Wishes, Kev, as you navigate this issue. Getting older is not for the faint hearted ..... and lots of life experience comes at a cost. :fp
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OK, saw the specialist today, left eye is in far worse condition than right eye, with 25% loss of vision.
Have a couple of appointments with a local doctor for tests for damaged blood vessels in left eye, when I have the results I have to go back to Mount Gambier for more tests. Have been listed for cataract operation on left eye sometime in the future, date not yet set. Todays visit was billed at $369. Have to budget for the next visit.
Arrived home shortly after 5 pm to a text message that my new glasses are ready to pick up in the morning, so that may improve my vision in the short term. Have to find another $700 to finish paying for the new glasses.
Hopefully will get some sort of rebate on these costs, I am visiting centrelink tomorrow for assistance on how to claim benefits, as I am completely in the dark on how to proceed.
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Can you claim any of that $369 back on Medicare, Kev? :X
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I have to see CentreSTink tomorrow to find out how, Russ
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Hopefully they'll be able to help ya, Kev!
I'm surprised the Specialist's office staff didn't offer to do the claim for you...That's what happened for me and I think I had the Medicare payment in my bank account that same day.
Perhaps it has something to do with you not doing internet banking??? :think1
Good luck with it all, Kev! :thumbs
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Could be, will find out tomorrow.
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Best of luck Kev
Hope it all works out for you
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CentreSTink sorted, and medical rebate is in the bank. Also my new glasses are here, and they are multi-focals.
Has improved vision dramatically. :thumb
Left eye is still blurry, I have an appointment for xray scans tomorrow.
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So much for healthcare in Victoria. Have been given multiple instructions to attend hospital here in Portland and to see unknown doctors multiple times for unknown tests during the past week.
After sitting in a waiting room at the hospital for multiple hours today, where even the staff knows not why I am there, I threw the towel in and cancelled everything.
At least now I can sit in the comfort of my own home and go blind in peace.
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Sounds like Alice Springs hospital Kev only up they completely ignore the reason you're there and treat it as a joke.
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So much for healthcare in Victoria. Have been given multiple instructions to attend hospital here in Portland and to see unknown doctors multiple times for unknown tests during the past week.
After sitting in a waiting room at the hospital for multiple hours today, where even the staff knows not why I am there, I threw the towel in and cancelled everything.
At least now I can sit in the comfort of my own home and go blind in peace.
Perhaps they have a separate Specialist's Consulting Suite outside of the actual hospital, Kev... :think1
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whatever they have, I DONT NEED IT.
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whatever they have, I DONT NEED IT.
Chin up, Kev, we're here for a chin wag, face-to-face on Satdee. Remind me to shout you the largest lemon squash they have.