​​​​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:

  • sudden onset ptosis with or without diplopia
  • ptosis with other neurological signs
  • ptosis with anisocoria (unequal pupil size).

Criteria to access public outpatient services

CategoryCriteria
Category 1
Recommended to be seen within 30 calendar days.
  • Aged < 8 years, and pupil is occluded and involving visual axis.
  • Ptosis with pre-existing or known neurological disorder.
Category 2
Recommended to be seen within 90 calendar days.

Aged < 8 years, and pupil is not occluded and not involving visual axis.

Category 3
Recommended to be seen within 365 calendar days.

Aged > 8 years with ptosis.

Information to include within a referral

Required

  • Interpreter required (if so, preferred language).

If available

  • Patient health summary (including relevant medical history and current medications).
  • Optometrist, orthoptist or ophthalmologist report performed within last 3 months.
  • Visual acuity.
  • Refraction.
  • Impact of symptoms.
  • Photograph of head in primary position.
  • Birth and pregnancy history.
  • If the patient identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
  • If the patient is considered 'at risk' and/or among a vulnerable, disadvantaged or priority population.

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.​​​

Contact us

If you would like to provide feedback about the contents of this page, please submit an enquiry to the SRC project team at NSW Health.

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Current as at: Wednesday 14 February 2024
Contact page owner: System Purchasing