Lid lesions

​​​​​​​Emergency

If periorbital skin cancer causing eyelid malposition with acute ocular pain and redness (i.e. signs or symptoms of microbial keratitis) 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

  • Benign eyelid lesions not affecting vision or causing functional deficit
  • Patients with minor cosmetic eyelid lesions

Criteria to access public outpatient services

CategoryCriteria
Category 1
Recommended to be seen within 30 calendar days
  • Proven or suspected eyelid squamous cell carcinoma, sebaceous cell carcinoma, Merkel cell carcinoma or melanoma
Category 2
Recommended to be seen within 90 calendar days
  • Proven or suspected eyelid basal cell carcinoma
Category 3
Recommended to be seen within 365 calendar days
  • ​Benign eyelid lesions affecting vision or causing functional deficit

Information to include within a referral

Required

  • Reason for referral
  • Details of the presenting condition including duration, appearance, size, location of lesion, presence or absence of eyelid malposition, and/or corneal exposure
  • Provisional diagnosis
  • Patient health summary (such as relevant medical history, relevant investigations, current medications and dosages, immunisations, allergies and/or adverse reactions)​
  • Optometrist, orthoptist or ophthalmologist report, including Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA)
  • Pathology results of biopsy (if performed)

If available

  • Changes in appearance of lesion
  • Clinical image of lesion
  • Previous ocular history
  • Refraction
  • Driving status
  • Guardianship status
  • Professional driver with specific visual acuity requirements for employment
  • 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.

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