Strabismus or ocular motility disorder in adult patients

​​​​​​​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:

  • blow-out fracture
  • sudden onset limitation or reduction in ocular motility
  • sudden onset binocular diplopia
  • sudden onset strabismus
​

Criteria to access public outpatient services

CategoryCriteria
Category 1
Recommended to be seen within 30 calendar days

  • Thyroid orbitopathy associated with recent onset strabismus with diplopia (cranial nerve palsy and/or neurologic disorder excluded)

Category 2
Recommended to be seen within 90 calendar days
  • Strabismus with diplopia impacting activities of daily living (cranial nerve palsy and/or neurological disorder excluded)
Category 3
Recommended to be seen within 365 calendar days
  • Longstanding strabismus with or without diplopia for conservative or surgical management

Information to include within a referral

Required

  • Reason for referral
  • Details of the presenting condition including symptoms, duration (acute or longstanding onset) and functional 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)​
  • Details of previous treatment (e.g. type and duration)
  • Details of previous investigations (e.g. imaging, pathology)
  • Optometrist, orthoptist or ophthalmologist report, including Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) (in each eye) and refraction

If available

  • Type of strabismus (constant or intermittent, unilateral or alternating)
  • 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