Keratoconus

​​​​Emergency

If any of the following are 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:

  • Keratoconus with acute graft rejection
  • Keratoconus with acute hydrops

When public outpatient services are not routinely provided

Keratoconus with stable findings, tolerating visual aids (i.e. contact lenses, spectacles) and visual function meeting individual needs

Criteria to access public outpatient services

CategoryCriteria
Category 1
Recommended to be seen within 30 calendar days
  • Newly diagnosed or suspected keratoconus and aged < 18 years

Category 2
Recommended to be seen within 90 calendar days
  • Keratoconus with signs of progression (for example, quantified change in keratometry or refraction over time)
  • Keratoconus at high risk of progression (for example, aged 18-26 years, developmental delay, Down syndrome, atopy, persistent eye rubbing, sleep apnoea)
  • Suspected keratoconus and any of the following:
    • aged ≥ 18 years
    • family history of keratoconus in first degree relative
Category 3
Recommended to be seen within 365 calendar days
  • Keratoconus with stable findings and not tolerating visual aids (i.e. contact lenses, spectacles)

Information to include within a referral

Required

  • Reason for referral
  • Details of the presenting condition including symptoms and their 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)​
  • Information regarding atopy, sleep apnoea, history of connective tissue disease, family history of keratoconus, chromosomal abnormalities, and genetic conditions
  • Optometrist, orthoptist or ophthalmologist report, including Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) and refraction.
  • Evidence of corneal irregularity and corneal topography (as appropriate)

If available

  • Details of previous management (including type and duration)
  • Previous ocular history
  • 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