​​​​​​Emergency

If periorbital skin cancer causing eyelid malposition with acute ocular pain and redness (i.e. signs or symptoms of microbial keratitis) 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,

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When public outpatient services are not routinely provided

  • Benign eyelid lesions not affecting vision or causing functional deficit.
  • Patients with minor cosmetic eyelid lesions.

Criteria to access public outpatient services

CategoryCriteria
Category 1
Recommended to be seen within 30 calendar days		Proven or suspected eyelid squamous cell carcinoma, sebaceous cell carcinoma, Merkel cell carcinoma or melanoma.
Category 2
Recommended to be seen within 90 calendar days		Proven or suspected eyelid basal cell carcinoma.
Category 3
Recommended to be seen within 365 calendar days		Benign eyelid lesions affecting vision or causing functional deficit.

Information to include within a referral

Required

  • Reason for referral.
  • Details of the presenting condition including duration, appearance, size, location of lesion, presence or absence of eyelid malposition, and/or corneal exposure.
  • Provisional diagnosis.
  • Pathology results of biopsy (if performed).
  • If the patient 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).
  • Optometrist, orthoptist or ophthalmologist report, including Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) and refraction.
  • Clinical image of lesion.
  • Changes in appearance of lesion.
  • Previous ocular history.
  • Professional driver with specific visual acuity requirements for employment.
  • Driving status.
  • Guardianship 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.

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