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:

  • Keratoconus with acute graft rejection.
  • Keratoconus with acute hydrops.

When public outpatient services are not routinely provided

Keratoconus with stable findings, tolerating visual aids (i.e. contact lenses, spectacles) and visual function meeting individual needs.

Criteria to access public outpatient services

CategoryCriteria
Category 1
Recommended to be seen within 30 calendar days

Newly diagnosed or suspected keratoconus and aged < 18 years.

Category 2
Recommended to be seen within 90 calendar days
  • Keratoconus with signs of progression (for example, quantified change in keratometry or refraction over time).
  • Keratoconus at high risk of progression (for example, aged 18-26 years, developmental delay, Down syndrome, atopy, persistent eye rubbing, sleep apnoea).
  • Suspected keratoconus and any of the following:
    • aged ≥ 18 years
    • family history of keratoconus in first degree relative.
Category 3
Recommended to be seen within 365 calendar days

Keratoconus with stable findings and not tolerating visual aids (i.e. contact lenses, spectacles).

Information to include within a referral

Required

  • Reason for referral.
  • Details of the presenting condition including symptoms and their impact on activities of daily living.
  • Provisional diagnosis.
  • Information regarding atopy, sleep apnoea, history of connective tissue disease, family history of keratoconus, chromosomal abnormalities, and genetic conditions.
  • Optometrist, orthoptist or ophthalmologist report, including Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) and refraction.
  • Evidence of corneal irregularity and corneal topography (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).
  • Details of previous management (including type and duration).
  • Previous ocular history.
  • Guardianship status.
  • Professional driver with specific visual acuity requirements for employment.
  • Driving status.
  • Social circumstances.
  • If the patient is at increased risk of falling.
  • 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 willing to have surgery (where clinically relevant).
  • 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.

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.

Submit an enquiry

​
Current as at: Sunday 12 May 2024
Contact page owner: System Purchasing