Referral to emergency

If any of the following are present or suspected, please refer the patient to the emergency department (via ambulance if necessary) or seek emergent medical advice if in a remote region.

  • complex foreign body, either intraocular or corneal
  • orbital fracturethermal burns to eyelids or eye

For the following symptoms, contact the ophthalmology registrar prior to referring to the emergency department:

  • chemical corneal burns – immediately begin continuous irrigation with water or saline
  • blunt trauma to the eye causing:
    • loss of vision
    • distortion of pupil
    • hyphaemia with possible raised intraocular pressure
    • retinal detachment
    • ruptured globe
  • penetrating eye injury
  • corneal laceration
  • retrobulbar haemorrhage
  • contact lens related corneal infections e.g. bacterial keratitis

Please contact the on-call registrar to discuss your concerns prior to referral.

For clinical advice, please telephone the relevant metropolitan Local Health Network switchboard and ask to speak to the relevant specialty service.

Southern Adelaide Local Health Network

Women's and Children's Health Network

Exclusions

  • child less than 24 months (2 years) of age with uncomplicated congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction, refer to useful resources for clinicians
  • second opinions

Triage categories

Category 1 (appointment clinically indicated within 30 days)

  • nil

Category 2 (appointment clinically indicated within 90 days)

  • child with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction complicated by frequent conjunctival inflammation, more than 3 episodes in 6 months

Category 3 (appointment clinically indicated within 365 days)

  • child greater than 24 months (2 years) of age with uncomplicated persistent congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction

For more on outpatient referrals, see the general referral information.

Essential referral information

Completion required before first appointment to ensure patients are ready for care. Please indicate in the referral if the patient is unable to access mandatory tests or investigations as they incur a cost or are unavailable locally.

  • identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander  
  • identify within your referral if you feel your patient is from a vulnerable population, under guardianship/out-of-home care arrangements and/or requires a third party to receive correspondence on their behalf
  • interpreter required
  • antenatal, birth, developmental, medical, family history. Note any developmental or behavioural issues such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit disorder (ADD), and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
  • ocular history, including:
    • other eye conditions
    • eye trauma
    • surgery and medical management, including glasses and/ or amblyopia therapy
  • eye and vision examination (both eyes):
    • literate children - visual acuity chart
    • pre-literate children - visual behaviour e.g. ability to fix and follow an object of interest
    • trichiasis (eyelashes rubbing on the cornea)
    • corneal haze or opacity
    • asymmetry of eye size or appearance