Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy or pseudophakic bullous keratopathy

​​​​​​​​​​​​Emergency

If acute onset and debilitating painful eye with Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy or pseudophakic bullous keratopathy is present or suspected, please refer the patient to the emergency department (via ambulance if necessary) or seek emergency medical advice via phone to on-call consultant/registrar

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When public outpatient services are not routinely provided

  • Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy or pseudophakic bullous keratopathy and Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) 6/12 or better without functional impact on activities of daily living
  • Patient does not want surgery

Criteria to access public outpatient services

CategoryCriteria
Category 1
Recommended to be seen within 30 calendar days
  • ​Painful eye with Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy or pseudophakic bullous keratopathy not requiring emergency management

Category 2
Recommended to be seen within 90 calendar days
  • Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy or pseudophakic bullous keratopathy and Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) worse than 6/60 (monocular)
  • Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy or pseudophakic bullous keratopathy and BCVA worse t​​han 6/12 (binocular)
  • Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy or pseudophakic bullous keratopathy with presence of bullae
Category 3
Recommended to be seen within 365 calendar days
  • Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy or pseudophakic bullous keratopathy and BCVA worse than 6/12 (monocular)
  • Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy or pseudophakic bullous keratopathy and BCVA 6/12 (monocular) or better with functional impact on activities of daily living for consideration of surgery

Information to include within a referral

Required

  • Reason for referral
  • Details of the presenting condition including symptoms, nature, duration and impact on activities of daily living.
  • Provisional diagnosis
  • Patient health summary (such as relevant medical history, relevant investigations, current medications and dosages, immunisations, allergies and/or adverse reactions)​
  • Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) (in each eye) by optometrist, orthoptist or ophthalmologist
  • Presence or absence of corneal bullae
  • Previous management

If available

  • Previous ocular history.
  • Optometrist, orthoptist or ophthalmologist report, including refraction
  • Guardianship status
  • Professional driver with specific visual acuity requirements for employment
  • Driving status
  • Social circumstances​

Important information for referring health professionals

If there is a change to a patient’s condition while waiting for their appointment, referring health professionals may further investigate and manage the situation, or send an updated referral to the outpatient service. Where there are significant concerns about a patient's condition, referring health professionals may check HealthPathways for urgent/same day advice or contact the relevant clinical team.



 

Current as at: Monday 23 March 2026
Contact page owner: System Purchasing