​​​​​​​​​​​​​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

  • Reason for referral.
  • Details of the presenting condition.
  • Provisional diagnosis.
  • Orthoptist, optometrist or ophthalmologist report within last 3 months (if patient is aged > 8 years only, excluding children with developmental delay), including Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) (as appropriate).
  • 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).
  • Ability to fix and follow toy or light, or objection to occlusion with each eye separately.
  • Ocular motility.
  • Fundus exam.
  • Difficulty with assessment (e.g. 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.
  • If the patient is suitable for virtual care or telehealth.
  • If the patient has special needs or requires reasonable adjustments to be made.
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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