Ptosis 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:

  • ptosis with anisocoria
  • ptosis with other neurological signs
  • sudden onset ptosis with or without diplopia
  • sudden onset ptosis with or without strabismus

When public outpatient services are not routinely provided

Patient does not want surgery

Criteria to access public outpatient services

CategoryCriteria
Category 1
Recommended to be seen within 30 calendar days
  • Nil
Category 2
Recommended to be seen within 90 calendar days
  • Symptomatic ptosis involving visual axis
Category 3
Recommended to be seen within 365 calendar days
  • Symptomatic ptosis not involving visual axis

Information to include within a referral

Required

  • Reason for referral
  • Details of the presenting condition including symptoms, duration, sudden or gradual onset, unilateral or bilateral, 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)​
  • Description of ptosis (degree and involvement of visual axis or pupil)
  • Optometrist, orthoptist or ophthalmologist report, including Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA)
  • Oculomotor and pupil examination findings

If available

  • Clinical image of ptosis
  • Previous ocular history
  • Refraction
  • Visual field test results
  • 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.


 

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