FAQs

Yes. In some cases, your General Practitioner (GP) or optometrist may provide an indefinite referral for a chronic or ongoing eye condition.
An indefinite referral allows you to continue seeing Dr Gioulekas for that condition without needing a new referral each year.

However, indefinite referrals apply only to the specific condition noted on the referral.
If you develop a new eye condition or require care for a different issue, a new referral will be needed.

If you are unsure whether your referral is indefinite or condition‑specific, our staff can check this for you before your appointment.

Referrals from a General Practitioner (GP) or an optometrist are valid for 12 months, starting from the date of your first consultation with Dr Gioulekas.

Referrals from another medical specialist are usually valid for 3 months, also beginning from the date of your first consultation.

If you are unsure whether your referral is still current, our staff can check this for you before your appointment.

Please bring the following items to your first appointment:
• Your referral letter from a General Practitioner (GP), optometrist, or medical specialist
• Your Medicare card
• Any private health insurance details (if applicable)
• A list of your current medications
• Any relevant previous eye test results or medical records
• Glasses or contact lenses you currently use

Bringing these items helps ensure your care is coordinated and allows us to provide the most accurate assessment and treatment plan.

Referrals can be written by your General Practitioner (GP), optometrist, or another medical specialist.

Having a referral ensures your care is properly coordinated and allows you to claim your consultation fee from Medicare.

If you are unsure whether your referral is valid, our staff can check this for you before your appointment.

Yes. A valid referral is required to book an appointment.
Referrals can be provided by your General Practitioner (GP), optometrist, or another medical specialist.

This ensures you receive the most appropriate care and allows you to claim your consultation fee from Medicare.
Our staff can assist with online claiming during your visit

Intravitreal injections deliver medication directly into the vitreous — the jelly‑like substance inside the eye.

Aflibercept (Eylea) and Ranibizumab (Lucentis) are commonly used for the treatment of subfoveal choroidal neovascularisation due to age‑related macular degeneration.

Dr John Gioulekas performs surgery at:

• St John of God Hospital Berwick – 75 Kangan Drive, Berwick (03) 8784 5000 (opposite Casey Public Hospital). This hospital offers comprehensive facilities, including specialised units such as ICU and HDU for patients who may require additional medical support.

• Corymbia Day Hospital – 92-94 David St, Dandenong VIC 3175  – (03) 8769 8555 a dedicated day‑surgery facility providing professional, high‑quality care in a supportive environment.

Most cataract operations are performed as day surgery, but your exact hospital and schedule will be confirmed by our team based on your procedure type, medical needs, and surgical scheduling at each hospital.

Most cataract surgery is performed as day surgery. You will be in hospital for about 2 to 3 hours. This will also vary with the time of your admission and complexity of surgery.

Surgery is arranged on our regular operating days, which occur throughout the month.
Your exact date will be organised by our team, taking into account your procedure type, medical needs, and theatre availability at either St John of God Hospital Berwick or Corymbia Day Hospital.

Both hospitals offer professional, high-quality care in a supportive environment.
For patients who may require additional medical support during their stay, St John of God Hospital Berwick also has specialised units such as ICU and HDU.

Yes. With a valid referral you can claim the consultation fee from Medicare. The staff can usually assist you with regards to online claiming.

Our new location will have 10 car parking spaces just for our patients. There are also numerous 2-hour car parking spots on Gloucester avenue just in front of our practice.

Most new patients will require dilating drops for the initial examination. Diabetics attending for annual review will require dilating drops and some Glaucoma patients as well. Some patients with other ocular conditions may also require dilating drops. Patients who require special imaging such as OCT scans may also need dilation to obtain good quality images. This can blur the vision for up to 2 hours. It is strongly recommended you bring a driver or make alternative arrangements if you are having dilating drops.