Clinic Appointments
How long will my appointment take?
Allow up to 1.5 hours for your initial consultation. This may seem like a long time but this is to allow for any tests that you may need.
When do I need to remove my contact lenses for my surgery, tests, etc?
This will depend on the type of lenses that you wear. We ask that you remove your soft contact lenses four days prior to any testing. For hard lens wearers, you will need to remove your lenses two weeks prior to any testing. We also recommend using lubricants during this time. You may return to wearing your lenses after your scans.
Prior to surgery, we ask that you remove the lens in your eye that is to be operated on four days before your surgery. Continue to wear your lens in the non-operated eye. Repeat this process if you are having a second surgery.
What is the cost of a cataract surgery, initial consult, and my follow up appointment?
An initial consultation is $235.75, any tests you have will be additional to this fee. A list of testing costs will be included in your confirmation letter.
Cataract surgery fees depend on the type of lens you need. We can provide you with a detailed quote following your consultation.
We accept Gem Visa with an interest free payment period of six months
Surgery fees cover the cost of post-operative visits for up to six weeks following your surgery. **
**Laser procedure fees do not cover post procedure visits or further diagnostic testing that may be required.
Is there car parking available at TEC?
There is paid street parking available and a reasonably priced public carpark across the street from us.
Do I need to obtain prior approval before my appointment?
No, we don't require prior approval for consultations
What is the process if I have Southern Cross or NIB Insurance?
When you come in for your consultation, bring your member/policy number with you and we can put in a claim on your behalf.
Do I need a referral to make an appointment?
We are a referral-based clinic. Having a referral helps us determine which specialist is best for your needs based on the contents of the referral. It also gives us a good knowledge of your eye history.
Why do I need to keep updating my registration and medical history forms?
We are legally required to keep our information as up-to-date as possible. We do this by updating medical history forms once every twelve months and registration forms every two years.
Where are you based? I can’t find 230 Thorndon Quay.
We are situated next to Bordeaux Bakery and share an entrance with the furniture store McKenzie and Willis.
Can I drive after my appointment?
This will depend on what type of consultation you are having; we will send you information prior to your appointment and advise if you need to arrange transportation home.
Will my insurance company cover my appointment?
This will depend on your individual policy. We are able to put claims through on behalf of Southern Cross and NIB insured patients. This will be done after your appointment. For all other insurance companies, we can supply you with an invoice for you to submit to them. Most companies have our payment details and will be able to pay us directly if they are covering your claim.
Can we apply for pre-approval for surgeries?
We can apply on behalf for surgeries occurring onsite that are Southern Cross Affiliated procedures. If your surgery is occurring at an external facility, you may need to apply for pre-approval yourself. Check with us to see if this is the case.
When will I get the invoice for my surgery?
We will send out your invoice in the week following your surgery if it occurs off site. If it occurs onsite, we expect payment on the day with the exception of patients who are submitting a claim to their insurance company.
Do you do payment plans?
Unfortunately, we cannot provide payment plans.
Why do I get charged twice for biometry in the same appointment?
Irrespective of whether you have both eyes done over one or two appointments, each eye is charged for separately. We do try to do biometry on both eyes in the same appointment to save our patients having to come in twice.
Surgery
As a Southern Cross member, I have contacted my insurance company and they have told me that both Thorndon Eye Clinic and the hospital have to do the pre-approval, what do I need to do?
Nothing! We will put through the invoice to Southern Cross Health for all things related to Thorndon Eye Clinic and the hospital will put their invoice separately to Southern Cross. Southern Cross will then be in touch with you if they have any further questions or there is a shortfall payment required.
Can you please tell me what time I have to report to the Hospital for surgery?
We will call you up to a week prior to your surgery to confirm your reporting time to the hospital.
What do I have to do to prepared for my surgery?
We will call you up to a week prior to your surgery to confirm what you need to do prior to your procedure, i.e., fasting information and what you need to bring to the hospital
Can I bring a support person with me to the hospital?
This depends on the Hospital that you are having surgery at. Contact them ahead of time to check their support person policy.
I thought my surgery was at Thorndon Eye Clinic?
Cataract surgeries will be done at one of the three following hospitals; Bowen Hospital (Churton Park), Southern Cross Hospital (Newtown) or Boulcott Hospital (Lower Hutt). We do have the ability to do some procedures at our rooms. You will be advised if this is an option for you.
Why do hospitals provide such a wide range of costs for lenses?
Each hospital has a different arrangement with us, whereby we charge for lenses for some hospitals and in other cases, the hospitals will charge you directly. The reason for the wide variance in cost is due to the specific type of lens being used and much like a car, different lenses do different things
Can I drive after surgery?
Surgery can be a stressful time for anybody and even if you are not fully sedated, we still recommend that you arrange for someone to collect you after your procedure.
Covid-19
Can I get my Covid vaccine after the surgery?
Yes, you can have the covid vaccine before and after, does not interfere with surgery
I am not vaccinated, does that mean I cannot come into Thorndon Eye Clinic?
We do not discriminate in any way between vaccinated and unvaccinated patients. If you have any concerns, please contact our team to discuss further.
What measures does Thorndon Eye Clinic regarding Covid-19?
All our staff are fully vaccinated and have had their boosters. All staff wear masks at all times and are continuously briefed and updated on Ministry of Health guidelines to ensure the protection of our staff and patients.