​​​​Emergency

If sudden and/or severe vision loss in a child 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.

Criteria to access public outpatient services

CategoryCriteria
Category 1
Recommended to be seen within 30 calendar days.
  • Infant with visual failure to fix and follow.
  • Visual response or behaviour not aligned with age expected response where best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) cannot be measured.
  • BCVA worse than 6/24.
Category 2
Recommended to be seen within 90 calendar days.

Aged < 8 years with BCVA worse than 6/18.

Category 3
Recommended to be seen within 365 calendar days.
  • Aged > 8 years with BCVA worse than 6/18.
  • Aged < 8 years with BCVA worse than 6/12.
  • Unable to continue receiving care under private ophthalmologist.
  • Referred from treating ophthalmologist for second opinion.

Information to include within a referral

Required

  • Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) (where possible).
  • Orthoptist, optometrist or ophthalmologist report within last 3 months (only if aged > 8 years only, excluding children with developmental delay).
  • Interpreter required (if so, preferred language).

If available

  • Patient health summary (including relevant medical history and current medications).
  • Assessment of visual field.
  • Pupil reactions.
  • Ability to fix and follow toy or light, or objection to occlusion with each eye separately.
  • Ocular motility.
  • Fundus exam.
  • Difficulty with assessment (for example: behavioural, psychological, neurodiverse).
  • Family history of visual problems.
  • Cycloplegic or subjective refraction.
  • 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.​​​

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