This site contains the South Australian Clinical Prioritisation Criteria (CPC) for most frequently referred ophthalmology conditions.

Ophthalmology conditions

Please note this is not an exhaustive list of all conditions for outpatient services and does not exclude consideration for referral unless specifically stipulated in the ophthalmology exclusions section.

Out of scope

Not all medical conditions are covered by the CPC, as certain conditions may be considered out of scope or managed by other specialist services:

  • contact lenses
  • lid haemangioma
  • Thyroid eye disease (proptosis) – refer to endocrinology Thyroid Disorders CPC
  • suspected inherited retinal diseases – refer to ophthalmic genetics (including Multidisciplinary Ocular Genetics CPC)
  • visual disturbance associated with migraine – refer to Neurology Headache - Adult CPC
  • post-stroke return to driving assessment – refer to public Driving Assessment Clinic or to a private occupational therapist.

The below conditions or presenting complaints generally do not need to be referred to an ophthalmologist in the public system. Please consider referral to an optometrist initially.

  • acute conjunctivitis without corneal involvement
  • asymptomatic epiretinal membranes
  • asymptomatic, longstanding strabismus
  • baseline ophthalmic screening/testing after recent commencement for medication/s of concern
  • correctable keratoconus with spectacles or contact lenses
  • dry eye disease without keratopathy
  • excess or saggy eyelid skin that does not affect visual fields
  • explained neurological visual field impairment
  • hypertensive retinopathy screening in pregnancy
  • hypertensive retinopathy without visual changes
  • internal hordeolum (stye) without suspected preseptal or orbital cellulitis
  • mild or stable allergic eye disease without corneal involvement who have not attempted first line medical management
  • non-exudative (dry) age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
  • patients with minimal or mild non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR)
  • recurrent corneal erosions
  • refractive error
  • uncomplicated corneal or conjunctival foreign body.

Exclusions for public specialist outpatient services

Not all ophthalmology conditions are appropriate for referral into the South Australian public health system. The following are not routinely provided in a public specialist outpatient service:

  • child aged 3 to 5 years failed child and family health service (CAFHS) screening test (follow existing CAFHS referral pathway)
  • child aged 3 to 5 years failed screening test, vision 6/12 or better (repeat test in 6 months)
  • children aged over 4 years with chalazion/stye, present less than 6 months
  • children aged under 4 years with chalazion/stye, present less than 3 months
  • colour vision testing or screening
  • contact lens clinic referrals that do not meet the Glasses SA criteria and not clinically indicated for use by ophthalmology
  • cosmetic concerns
  • diabetic retinopathy screening in literate children
  • dyslexia without reduced vision (coloured overlay/colourimetry assessment) or visual processing assessment/assessment for learning difficulties
  • intermittent/variable strabismus in infants less than 3 months of age (normal)
  • reduced visual acuity, without strabismus, who have not had a refraction performed
  • refractive error (without strabismus) with visual acuities 6/9 or better, when wearing glasses, using a crowded visual acuity test
  • routine follow up post corneal or foreign body removal
  • routine screening for diabetic retinopathy
  • screening in a literate child with family history/associated conditions or on medication which may cause cataract
  • second opinions from another ophthalmologist
  • treatment for progressive myopia
  • typical chalazion in children aged 4 years and over with duration less than 6 months
  • typical chalazion in children aged under 4 years with duration less than 3 months
  • uncomplicated congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO) in children under 24 months of age

Emergency information

See the individual condition pages for more specific emergency information.

Feedback

We welcome requests for further information or feedback on the CPC and website, please refer to the relevant form below.

Please email the completed form to Health.CPC@sa.gov.au.

Review

The Ophthalmology CPC is due for review in:

  • October 2025 for paediatric conditions
  • July 2026 for adult conditions

Evidence statement