Use it or Lose it

With over 13 million Australians suffering from one or more chronic eye conditions, optical services are in high demand, and this number is estimated to increase every year.

Although it feels like we have moved on from the events of COVID-19, Australia’s eye health has taken a significant hit. As a direct result of behaviours learnt during lockdowns, the continual increase in screen time has caused eye impairments, such as digital eye strain, to become an evergrowing and daily battle for many Australians. 

Digital eye strain is defined as a group of vision-related issues that result from excessive screen time. Presenting symptoms such as sore, dry eyes, headaches and blurry vision, this affects more than 86% of Australians and has increased by 8% since COVID-19. 

This means that we need to prioritise our eye health more than ever before!

Use your health cover before it’s too late

Did you know 90% of all eye impairments are preventable if treated early?

If you haven’t seen your optometrist this year, and you are one of the nearly 55% of Australians who have private health cover, you have an even greater incentive to get your eyes checked. Book an eye test using your health fund as soon as possible. Most private health insurers lapse their extras coverage after December 31, 2024. 

Health funds do not allow us to roll over our benefits each year. Once 1 January rolls around, the benefits you did not use the year before will lapse.

You have been paying premiums all year, so take advantage of your health fund’s benefits. Now is the best time to focus on your eye health and make that end-of-year health fund optical claim. 

It is important to have your eyes checked every two years because your prescription can change. As we age, our eyes are prone to developing conditions such as presbyopia, cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. The earlier these conditions are found, the more expedient the treatment.

What’s covered?

In response to many Australians finding the private healthcare system complex and confusing, particularly during COVID-19, the Australian Government introduced the 4-tier system. By enforcing all health insurers to separate their services into four tiers — Basic, Bronze, Silver and Gold — you can easily know what medical expenses are covered in your policy. 

With Australian health fund policies, optical services are typically divided into two categories of coverage.

Hospital Cover

Available in the Bronze, Silver and Gold tiers, this typically covers inpatient treatments for eye-related conditions such as:

• Retinal detachments
• Eye infections
• Tear duct conditions
• Glaucoma
• Eye socket damage
• Some eye traumas

Cataract operations are the only eye-related treatments strictly covered in the Gold tier.

Extras Cover

This helps with the cost of medical supplies that Medicare doesn’t cover. Depending on the type of health insurance plan you have, you can get rebates for:

• Prescription eyeglasses
• Contact lenses
• Prescription sunglasses
• Blue-light glasses
• Some eye-related therapies

How much you can claim each year depends on your health fund policy and the tier it belongs to. Check your policy and book an eye health check before your health fund benefits expire.

See clearer

If you have not had your script checked in a while, you will be surprised to discover how much lens technology has improved. Today, lenses are much thinner and lighter, with a wide choice of lens coatings.

Aside from being thinner and lighter, lenses are made of advanced optical technologies, allowing you to tailor your glasses to your needs. Eyecare Plus offers various options. 

Scratch resistant coating

An anti-scratch coating makes your lens durable and long-lasting, perfect for people who work outdoors or play sports. Applied with a specific hard lacquer, you can always be confident in vision clarity.

Anti-reflective coating

With a specialised coating that eliminates glare, this additional feature is ideal for those who work with computers, regularly expose themselves to sunlight, or drive for long hours.

Blue-light coating

This coating protects our eyes against the harmful blue light emitted from devices. To prevent sore and strained eyes from excessive computer usage, consider adding this coating to your prescription glasses or getting a pair of blue-light glasses. 

Contact lenses

At Eyecare Plus, our optical professionals tailor your contact lenses to suit your prescription, lifestyle and eye shape. From daily to monthly contact lenses, your eyes can be comfortably protected while maintaining clear vision.

Use your rebate today at Eyecare Plus 

With Eyecare Plus, you can put your health fund policy to good use.

Whether you want to buy prescription glasses with your health fund cover or have always wanted to try contact lenses — the good news is that you can use your health fund for no-gap frames at Eyecare Plus today! 

We also offer comprehensive eye examinations that thoroughly inspect your eyes for early signs of deterioration, such as macular degeneration, cataracts or glaucoma. If spotted early, these conditions can be prevented with the treatments, therapies and lifestyle changes that our eye specialists recommend. Do your eyes a favour and book an appointment for a health fund-covered eye exam.

All health funds are welcome at any Eyecare Plus optometry practice near you. Find your local optometrist today.