​​​​​​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:

  • blow-out fracture
  • sudden onset limitation or reduction in ocular motility
  • sudden onset binocular diplopia
  • sudden onset strabismus.
​

Criteria to access public outpatient services

CategoryCriteria
Category 1
Recommended to be seen within 30 calendar days

Thyroid orbitopathy associated with recent onset strabismus with diplopia (cranial nerve palsy and/or neurologic disorder excluded).

Category 2
Recommended to be seen within 90 calendar days		Strabismus with diplopia impacting activities of daily living (cranial nerve palsy and/or neurological disorder excluded).
Category 3
Recommended to be seen within 365 calendar days		Longstanding strabismus with or without diplopia for conservative or surgical management.

Information to include within a referral

Required

  • Reason for referral.
  • Details of the presenting condition including symptoms, duration (acute or longstanding onset) and functional impact on activities of daily living.
  • Provisional diagnosis.
  • Details of previous treatment (e.g. type and duration).
  • Details of previous investigations (e.g. imaging, pathology).
  • Optometrist, orthoptist or ophthalmologist report, including Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) (in each eye) and refraction.
  • 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).
  • Type of strabismus (constant or intermittent, unilateral or alternating).
  • 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.


 

Current as at: Thursday 14 November 2024
Contact page owner: System Purchasing