​​​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:

  • cataract with red eye
  • cataract with nystagmus
  • cataract with congenital glaucoma
  • new cataract for aged < 3 years.

When public outpatient services are not routinely provided

  • Screening for cataract aged ≥ 8 years due to family history of congenital cataract.
  • Screening for cataract aged ≥ 8 years that do not have current treatment regime, medication or systemic disease that may cause development of cataract.

Criteria to access public outpatient services

CategoryCriteria
Category 1
Recommended to be seen within 30 calendar days.
  • Aged between 3 to 8 years with concerns of poor vision due to cataract.
  • Aged ≥ 8 years with developmental delay or other issues that does not allow referrer to assess visual acuity.
  • Patient requires cataract surgery referred by private ophthalmologist.
Category 2
Recommended to be seen within 90 calendar days.
  • Aged ≥ 8 years with newly recognised cataract.
  • Aged ≥ 3 years with documented or suspected cataract and vision 6/12 or worse in affected eye.
  • Aged < 8 years and screening for cataract due to current treatment regime, medication or systemic disease that may cause development of cataract.
  • Aged < 8 years with family history of congenital cataract.

Category 3
Recommended to be seen within 365  calendar days

Aged ≥ 8 years with previous congenital cataract surgery (without glaucoma).

Information to include within a referral

Required

  • Reason for referral.
  • Details of the presenting condition including timeframe of cataracts onset.
  • Provisional diagnosis.
  • Visual acuity (in each eye) from optometrist, orthoptist or ophthalmologist (patient aged ≥ 8 years only).
  • Refraction (patient aged ≥ 8 years only).
  • If the patient and/or carer requires an interpreter (if so, list preferred language).

If available

  • Patient health summary (such as relevant medical history, relevant investigations,
    current medications and dosages, immunisations, allergies and/or adverse reactions).
  • Family history of congenital cataract.
  • 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.
  • If the patient is suitable for virtual care or telehealth.
  • If the patient has special needs or requires reasonable adjustments to be made.

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: Sunday 12 May 2024
Contact page owner: System Purchasing