​​​​​​​​​​​Emergency

If acute onset and debilitating painful eye with Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy or pseudophakic bullous keratopathy 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

  • Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy or pseudophakic bullous keratopathy and Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) 6/12 or better without functional impact on activities of daily living.
  • Patient does not want surgery.

Criteria to access public outpatient services

CategoryCriteria
Category 1
Recommended to be seen within 30 calendar days

Painful eye with Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy or pseudophakic bullous keratopathy not requiring emergency management.

Category 2
Recommended to be seen within 90 calendar days
  • Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy or pseudophakic bullous keratopathy and Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) worse than 6/60 (monocular).
  • Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy or pseudophakic bullous keratopathy and BCVA worse t​​han 6/12 (binocular).
  • Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy or pseudophakic bullous keratopathy with presence of bullae.
Category 3
Recommended to be seen within 365 calendar days
  • Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy or pseudophakic bullous keratopathy and BCVA worse than 6/12 (monocular).
  • Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy or pseudophakic bullous keratopathy and BCVA 6/12 (monocular) or better with functional impact on activities of daily living for consideration of surgery.

Information to include within a referral

Required

  • Reason for referral.
  • Details of the presenting condition including symptoms, nature, duration and impact on activities of daily living.
  • Provisional diagnosis.
  • Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) (in each eye) by optometrist, orthoptist or ophthalmologist.
  • Presence or absence of corneal bullae.
  • Previous management.
  • 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).
  • Previous ocular history.
  • Optometrist, orthoptist or ophthalmologist report, including refraction.
  • 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.

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