Do I Need An Eye Test?

There's no reliable way to self-diagnose this — mild refractive errors can exist for years without obvious blurring, especially if they've developed gradually. The only way to know for sure is a comprehensive eye test, which measures your prescription precisely and checks eye health at the same time. If a prescription is needed, we'll explain exactly what it corrects and why; if it isn't, you'll leave with confirmation your eyes are healthy either way.

Not necessarily, but it's one of the more common reasons people book a test. Headaches linked to vision usually build gradually during reading, screen use or close work, and ease once you stop. An outdated or slightly incorrect prescription, or uncorrected long-sightedness and astigmatism, are frequent causes. If headaches are sudden, severe, or come with visual disturbance, that warrants prompt attention rather than a routine booking.

Yes. Extended screen use doesn't damage your eyes, but it does expose an existing focusing problem that might not bother you otherwise, since we blink less and hold a fixed focal distance for long stretches while working. If you find yourself squinting at your monitor, needing to lean in, or your eyes feel tired and dry by mid-afternoon, it's worth having your prescription and binocular vision checked rather than assuming it's just screen fatigue.

Yes, and this is one of the main reasons routine testing matters. Many eye conditions, including glaucoma and early diabetic changes, develop with no noticeable symptoms until measurable vision has already been lost. A comprehensive test checks eye health, not just your ability to read a chart, which is why we recommend everyone be tested every one to two years regardless of how their vision feels day to day. See our eye test information page for what a full check-up covers.

Glaucoma is the classic example, since it typically causes no pain and only affects peripheral vision at first, meaning most people don't notice anything wrong until significant, irreversible damage has occurred. Early macular degeneration and some diabetic retinal changes can be similarly silent. This is why we recommend annual testing from age 60, and sooner if glaucoma or macular degeneration runs in your family, since these conditions are picked up on examination well before you'd feel them.

It's worth booking a check-up regardless of symptoms. Vision changes are usually gradual enough that people adapt without realising, and a gap of several years also means any developing eye health issue has had longer to progress unnoticed. There's no penalty for having gone a while between tests — we'll simply run a full comprehensive assessment and get you back on a sensible schedule from there.

Yes, both are classic signs of short-sightedness (myopia) in children, along with holding books close, rubbing their eyes often, or complaining of headaches after school. Because myopia tends to progress through childhood, we recommend annual testing from age three, and earlier assessment if you notice these behaviours. Catching it early also opens up myopia management options that can slow how much a child's prescription worsens over time.

Eyecare Concepts is a private billing practice, so a consultation fee applies rather than bulk billing. Where you're eligible, a Medicare rebate applies to a standard comprehensive eye test depending on the consultation type and item codes involved, and we claim that rebate for you on the spot straight after your appointment, with the funds paid electronically into your Medicare-linked bank account a few days later. Certain add-ons or more advanced assessments, such as specific imaging or contact lens fittings, may carry an additional fee. Full, transparent pricing for every appointment type is listed on our fees and charges page, so you know what to expect before you book.

A comprehensive test covers more than reading a letter chart. It typically includes measuring your current prescription, assessing how your eyes work together, checking eye pressure for glaucoma risk, and examining the retina, optic nerve and surrounding structures for signs of disease. Our optometrists use advanced imaging where appropriate for a more detailed picture. You can read a full walkthrough of what to expect on our eye test information page, or see our advanced eye care technology for the diagnostic equipment we use.

No referral is needed for a standard eye test — you can book directly with us regardless of how you found us. As a private billing practice, a consultation fee applies at the time of your visit, with an eligible Medicare rebate claimed for you on the spot and paid electronically into your Medicare-linked bank account a few days later. If your optometrist identifies something requiring specialist ophthalmology input, we'll organise that referral for you as part of your visit. You can see our full range of appointment types under eye care, or book straight away through online booking.