Eye health services

This page lists public eye health services in Tasmania. It does not list private optometry providers.

There is a public eye clinic in Hobart. Some public inpatient and outpatient eye health services are bought from the private sector. Eye health specialists (ophthalmologists) work at the public hospital clinic, and at these private practices and perform outsourced public surgery at the following facilities:

Southern ophthalmology services

• Royal Hobart Hospital Eye Clinic
• Derwent Eye Specialists
• Hobart Eye Surgeons
• Precision Eye Clinic
• Private day surgery used for public patients – Hobart Day Surgery

Northern ophthalmology services

• Launceston Eye Doctors
• Launceston Eye Institute
• Private day surgery used for public patients - The Eye Hospital

Northwest ophthalmology services

• North West Eye Surgeons – Burnie and Devonport
• Launceston Eye Institute – Ulverstone
• Private day surgery used for public patients - Devonport Eye Hospital

Royal Hobart Hospital Eye Clinic

We can assess and manage most adult and paediatric (child) eye conditions at the Royal Hobart Hospital Eye Clinic. Learn more at the Royal Hobart Hospital Eye Clinic website.

There are some conditions we do not manage as they can be safely managed in primary care by your GP or optometrist. Conditions not managed at the RHH Eye Clinic

Lions Low Vision Clinic

The Lions Low Vision Clinic is part of the Royal Hobart Hospital Eye Clinic.

If you have vision impairment or loss, we can help you make the best use of your remaining sight through using:

• magnifiers
• extra strong glasses
• strong lighting
• other aids and devices.

We carry a wide range of traditional and electronic advanced magnifiers that you can trial at home.

Home visits

We can refer you on to Visibility Tasmania to have a home visit arranged. This will help you by:

• advising on lighting and safety around the home
• assisting with orientation and mobility training
• helping you find other support services.

Where to get more information

• Learn more on the Lions Low Vision Clinic website

Spectacles Assistance Scheme

The Spectacles Assistance Scheme provides financial assistance for the purchase of spectacles to those people who meet the guidelines.

• If eligible, you will be assisted with the cost of specific types of lenses and frames.
• There is a restriction on the frequency of application.
• The assistance is means tested.
• Assistance may not be available to all Health Care Card holders.

To be considered for assistance you must submit

• a completed Spectacles Assistance Scheme application form
• an optometrists script for glasses.

More information

You can contact the Spectacles Assistance Scheme on 1800 232 148.