What is an aged care optometrist?
An aged care optometrist is an AHPRA-registered optometrist who delivers comprehensive eye care directly inside residential aged care facilities (RACFs), retirement villages and nursing homes. Rather than expecting frail older Australians to travel to a high-street clinic, the aged care optometrist brings full diagnostic equipment, refraction and dispensing into the resident's room or a designated quiet area within the facility.
Eye See You Optometry is a dedicated mobile optometrist practice that specialises in this on-site model. We work alongside facility managers, registered nurses, care staff, families and Powers of Attorney to maintain a structured 12-monthly eye-care cycle for every resident — with shorter intervals for residents with diabetes, glaucoma, macular degeneration or recent cataract surgery. For facility teams evaluating providers, our how-to-choose guide walks through the vendor-neutral procurement checklist we recommend.
The aged care optometrist role exists because the consequences of unaddressed vision loss in residential care are clinically and ethically significant. Vision impairment is the single most consistent modifiable risk factor for falls in the elderly; undiagnosed cataract and macular disease accelerate the trajectory of cognitive decline; and refractive error left uncorrected is one of the most common reversible causes of withdrawal, depression and reduced independence in residents. An on-site service removes the logistical barriers that previously made annual eye care impractical for most RACFs.
How an aged care optometrist differs from a clinic optometrist
A high-street clinic optometrist works in a fixed retail environment with stationary equipment and assumes the patient can walk in, sit upright at a phoropter, read a wall chart, and communicate complex perceptual judgements ("which is clearer — one or two?"). An aged care optometrist works under fundamentally different conditions:
- Portable diagnostic kit: hand-held retinoscope, portable slit lamp, autorefractor, digital fundus camera, hand-held non-contact tonometer.
- Bedside-capable examination: the full exam can be completed with a resident in bed, in a recliner or in a wheelchair without transfer.
- Objective testing emphasis: retinoscopy and autorefraction substitute for subjective refraction in residents with dementia or aphasia.
- Care-team integration: findings are documented in a format that attaches directly to the resident's care plan, with copies to POA and GP.
- Dispensing logistics: frames are dispensed to the facility, marked with the resident's name, and adjusted on-site — minimising loss and breakage in shared living environments.
- Compliance posture: AHPRA registration, current Police Check, professional indemnity insurance and infection-control protocols are supplied to the facility before any clinical work begins.
Aged Care Quality Standards and vision care
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission's Standards have direct implications for vision care. A structured aged care optometry program helps facilities demonstrate compliance with two Standards in particular:
Standard 3 — Personal & Clinical Care
Requires safe and effective personal and clinical care that is best practice, tailored to the consumer, and optimises their health and well-being. Vision assessment, glasses provision, falls-risk management and timely ophthalmology referral are core deliverables under this Standard.
Standard 5 — Service Environment
Requires a safe, comfortable environment that optimises sense of belonging, independence and mobility. Adequate lighting in shared spaces — and corrected vision for every resident who can benefit — are practical preconditions for meeting this Standard.
Our written examination reports, batch visit schedules and resident-level vision logs are designed to be submission-ready evidence for both Standards during routine quality audits and Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission reviews. For a deeper governance view aligned to the accreditation cycle itself, see our accreditation-cycle playbook, and for the operational logistics of an individual visit see the visit checklist for facility managers.
Bedside examination protocols
A meaningful proportion of residents in any RACF cannot transfer to a phoropter or attend a clinic. Our bedside examination protocol is designed to complete a full comprehensive optometric assessment without compromising clinical quality:
- Pre-visit chart review — registered nurse provides current medication list, known ocular history, mobility status and cognitive status.
- Visual acuity — measured with hand-held LogMAR cards at appropriate working distance for residents who cannot sit upright at a wall chart.
- Retinoscopy & autorefraction — objective refraction, no subjective input required, suitable for residents with dementia or limited communication.
- Ocular health assessment — portable slit-lamp examination of anterior segment; non-contact hand-held tonometry for IOP.
- Retinal imaging — digital fundus photography captures the optic disc, macula and peripheral retina; images are reviewed and stored in the resident's clinical record.
- Functional vision discussion — direct conversation with the resident (where possible), attending carer, and notes for the registered nurse on practical implications (e.g. lighting, contrast, mealtime placement).
- Prescription & dispensing — measurements taken, frame selected from the on-site range, glasses dispensed to the facility within 10 working days.
Dementia and cognitive impairment accommodations
Examining residents living with dementia requires modified communication, environment and examination technique. Our optometrists adapt every step:
- Familiar environment: we examine in the resident's own room whenever possible, with personal items in view.
- Familiar carer present: a trusted carer or family member is invited to attend to reduce distress.
- Objective-first refraction: retinoscopy and autorefraction remove the cognitive load of "which is clearer".
- Short, low-stress steps: the examination is broken into brief stages with rest between, never rushed.
- Glasses preference notes: simple, robust frame styles with the resident's name printed inside to support staff in identification.
Read more on our dedicated dementia-friendly eye care protocol page, and on the eye-brain mechanism behind end-of-day agitation in our staff guide on sundowning and vision. For escalation thresholds and shared-care workflows, see when to refer to ophthalmology vs optometry.
Equipment we bring on-site
Portable slit lamp
Anterior segment examination at the bedside.
Hand-held non-contact tonometer
Glaucoma screening without contact or anaesthetic.
Digital fundus camera
Retinal imaging stored in the resident's clinical record.
Autorefractor
Objective refraction for residents with limited communication.
Trial lens kit & hand-held charts
Refraction completed in any room layout.
Portable diagnostic indirect
Peripheral retinal assessment where dilation is appropriate.
Conditions we screen and manage
Every comprehensive aged care optometrist visit screens for the eye conditions most prevalent in the over-65 population. Where treatable optometric pathology is found we manage it directly; where ophthalmology input is required we issue a written referral and coordinate the appointment:
Medicare item numbers & bulk billing
Comprehensive eye examinations for eligible residents are bulk billed direct to Medicare under the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) optometry items. There is no out-of-pocket cost to the resident or the facility for the clinical service. The aged care optometrist applies the appropriate item number for each consultation:
- Comprehensive initial consultation — used for the first examination at our service, or after a long interval.
- Comprehensive subsequent consultation — routine 12-monthly examinations for established residents.
- Shorter-interval items — applicable for residents with diabetes, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, or following a significant change in vision.
- Brief and intermediate consultation items — for short follow-ups (e.g. glasses dispensing review, IOP recheck).
Glasses are billed separately, only with prior consent, at transparent published pricing. Spectacle subsidy schemes (where the resident holds an eligible card) are applied where they reduce the cost to the resident.
AHPRA & Police Check compliance
Aged care facilities operate under stringent regulatory expectations. Every visiting clinician must satisfy them before clinical work begins. Our aged care optometrists provide compliance evidence to the facility's compliance officer on request:
AHPRA registration
Current registration with the Optometry Board of Australia under the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.
Professional indemnity insurance
Held to the level mandated by AHPRA's registration standard.
National Police Check
Current Australian National Police Check, renewed in line with facility requirements.
Infection prevention & control
Documented policy aligned to RACF infection-control expectations, including PPE use and hand hygiene at the point of care.
Mandatory reporting awareness
Familiar with the Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS) and the optometrist's role in identifying and escalating concerns.
Ophthalmology referral pathways
When examination findings warrant ophthalmology review — for example dense visually-significant cataract, suspicious optic discs, retinal pathology, or sudden vision loss — your aged care optometrist issues a formal written referral to the resident's preferred or local ophthalmologist, copies the resident's GP, and coordinates the appointment with the facility.
For urgent findings (suspected wet macular degeneration, acute angle-closure risk, suspected retinal detachment) the optometrist phones the POA, GP and where appropriate the ophthalmology unit on the same day. Post-operative post-cataract follow-up is performed in the facility, with refraction and updated glasses dispensed once the eye has stabilised.
Reporting to POA, family and GP
Communication is as important as the clinical examination itself. After every visit we issue:
- Resident-level report — visual acuities, refraction, intraocular pressures, ocular health findings, prescription changes, recommendations and follow-up interval.
- POA / family letter — plain-language summary delivered to the nominated contact, including any glasses cost decisions that require consent.
- GP copy — clinical letter for the resident's general practitioner so primary care has continuity of the eye record.
- Facility batch summary — registered nurse receives a single document listing residents examined, key findings, glasses orders pending and follow-up actions.
How to book an aged care optometrist (step by step)
- 1
Initial contact
Call 0490 090 713 or submit the online booking form with your facility name, location and approximate number of residents.
- 2
Compliance documentation
We supply AHPRA registration, Police Check, professional indemnity and infection-control evidence to your compliance officer.
- 3
Facility walk-through
On the first visit we tour the facility with the manager, identify the examination space, confirm room access and consent workflow.
- 4
Resident scheduling
Care staff collect consents and we agree a resident schedule with the registered nurse in charge — typically 20–30 minutes per comprehensive exam.
- 5
On-site examinations
Our optometrist performs comprehensive bedside or seated examinations using portable diagnostic equipment, including retinal imaging and IOP testing.
- 6
Reporting & follow-up
Written reports issued to POA, family contact and GP. Glasses dispensed to the facility. Ophthalmology referrals coordinated where indicated.
Locations we service across QLD & NSW
We provide aged care optometrist services to metropolitan, regional and remote facilities across Queensland and New South Wales. Each location below links to the city-specific page with facility coverage, regional notes and contact details.
Queensland (all QLD areas)
New South Wales (all NSW areas)
Clinical specialties for aged care residents
Beyond routine comprehensive examinations, our aged care optometrists offer focused clinical pathways for the conditions most relevant to residential care:
Dementia-friendly eye care
Communication and examination adaptations for residents living with dementia.
Diabetic retinopathy screening
Annual retinal imaging and screening for residents living with diabetes.
Low vision support
Magnifiers, lighting strategies and reading aids for residents with macular disease.
Post-cataract follow-up
In-facility refraction and updated glasses after cataract surgery.
See also the conversion-oriented aged care optometry services hub for facility managers, or the broader mobile optometry services index.
Frequently asked questions
What is an aged care optometrist?
An aged care optometrist is an AHPRA-registered optometrist who delivers comprehensive eye examinations on-site at residential aged care facilities (RACFs), retirement villages and nursing homes, rather than expecting older Australians to travel to a high-street clinic. The role combines clinical optometry with knowledge of the Aged Care Quality Standards, dementia-friendly communication, bedside testing protocols, and coordinated reporting to facility care managers, Powers of Attorney, families and treating GPs.
How is an aged care optometrist different from a clinic optometrist?
A clinic optometrist works in a fixed retail setting with stationary equipment and assumes patients can travel, read a wall chart, and sit upright at a phoropter. An aged care optometrist works in residents' rooms or common areas using portable diagnostic equipment, performs bedside refraction when needed, adapts test procedures for cognitive impairment, communicates directly with care staff and POA, dispenses glasses to the room, and prepares formal reports the facility can attach to the resident's care plan.
Which Aged Care Quality Standards apply to vision care?
Standard 3 (Personal Care and Clinical Care) requires safe and effective clinical care that is right for the consumer — vision assessment, glasses provision and falls-risk management all fall within this. Standard 5 (Organisation's Service Environment) requires a safe, comfortable environment that optimises sense of belonging and independence, which depends on adequate lighting and corrected vision. We design our reporting and on-site protocols so that evidence is available for both Standards during quality audits and Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission reviews.
Are you AHPRA registered and police-checked?
Yes. Every optometrist on our team holds current registration with the Optometry Board of Australia under AHPRA, carries professional indemnity insurance, and holds a current National Police Check. We can supply copies of these credentials to your facility's compliance officer on request.
Do you bulk bill the Medicare item numbers for aged care eye exams?
Yes. Comprehensive eye examinations for eligible residents are bulk billed direct to Medicare with no out-of-pocket cost. We bill the appropriate Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) optometry item number based on the consultation — most commonly the comprehensive initial or subsequent examination items, with shorter-interval items available for residents with diabetes, glaucoma or progressive macular disease.
How do you examine residents living with dementia?
We use objective measurements (retinoscopy, autorefraction, digital retinal imaging, non-contact tonometry) that do not rely on a resident reading a chart or describing what is clearer. We allow extra appointment time, examine in the resident's familiar room when possible, involve a familiar carer, and brief staff on simple cues that suggest visual decline. See our dedicated dementia-friendly eye care page for the full protocol.
Can you examine bed-bound residents?
Yes. Our optometrists are equipped and trained to perform bedside refraction, retinoscopy and retinal imaging on residents who cannot sit upright or transfer to a chair. Portable slit lamps, hand-held tonometers and trial frames let us complete a full examination in bed when required.
How are findings communicated to family and Powers of Attorney?
After every visit we produce a written examination report including visual acuities, prescription changes, intraocular pressures, retinal findings and any recommendations. Reports are sent to the nominated POA or family contact and copied to the facility for the resident's clinical file. For urgent findings — for example suspected wet macular degeneration or acute angle-closure risk — we phone the POA the same day and arrange an ophthalmology referral.
Do you provide glasses on-site?
Yes. Where a new prescription is required, we measure on-site, dispense from a range of durable frames suitable for aged care, and deliver finished glasses to the facility once lenses are made. We also adjust and repair existing glasses during routine visits to reduce loss, breakage and dispensing delays.
How often should aged care residents have their eyes tested?
We recommend a comprehensive examination at least every 12 months for most residents, with shorter intervals (6 months) for residents with diabetes, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration or recent cataract surgery. New residents should be assessed within 8 weeks of admission so a baseline vision profile is on file.
What's the referral process to an ophthalmologist?
When examination findings warrant ophthalmology review — for example dense cataract impacting function, suspicious optic discs, retinal pathology — we issue a formal written referral to the resident's preferred or local ophthalmologist and copy the GP. We follow up with the facility to confirm the appointment occurs and integrate any post-visit instructions back into the resident's care plan.
How much time should the facility allow per resident?
Allow 20–30 minutes per standard comprehensive exam, and 35–45 minutes for residents with dementia, complex medical history or bedside-only assessments. We always confirm a visit schedule with the registered nurse in charge so room access, escorts and consent are coordinated efficiently.
What happens during the first visit to a new facility?
Before clinical work begins we walk through the facility with the manager, confirm room access and infection control protocols, collect consent forms, set up an examination space, and agree the reporting and billing workflow. Routine resident exams typically begin on the same visit.
Do you cover regional Queensland and New South Wales?
Yes. We service metropolitan, regional and remote facilities across QLD (Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba, Cairns, Townsville, Rockhampton, Mackay, Bundaberg, Hervey Bay, Ipswich and more) and NSW (Sydney, Newcastle, Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie, Tamworth, Lismore, Byron Bay, Armidale, Maitland, Tweed Heads). See the locations list below for the full footprint.
Is there any cost to the facility?
No. Comprehensive eye examinations are bulk billed direct to Medicare so the facility pays nothing for the clinical service. Optional glasses are billed only to the resident or their nominated payer with prior consent, at standard transparent pricing.
Book your facility's aged care optometrist visit
Bulk-billed comprehensive eye care, dementia-friendly, fully compliant, with same-day reporting to your POA and GP. Servicing every RACF across QLD and NSW.