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.

  • nasolacrimal duct obstruction complicated by acute dacryocystitis or lacrimal abscess - infection of tear drainage system

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.

Central Adelaide Local Health Network

Northern Adelaide Local Health Network 

Southern Adelaide Local Health Network

Exclusions

  • epiphora without nasolacrimal duct obstruction
  • dry eye disease without keratopathy

Triage categories

Category 1 (appointment clinically indicated within 30 days)

  • nil

Category 2 (appointment clinically indicated within 90 days)

  • nil

Category 3 (appointment clinically indicated within 365 days)

  • symptomatic epiphora with nasolacrimal duct obstruction
  • symptomatic dry eye with keratopathy unresponsive to medical/allied health management

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

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
  • relevant social history, including identifying if you feel your patient is from a vulnerable population and/or requires a third party to receive correspondence on their behalf
  • interpreter required
  • relevant past medical and surgical history
  • current medications, allergies
  • ocular history, including:
    • symptoms and duration of clinical presentation
    • surgery and medical management, including glasses
    • medication management
    • other eye conditions for example unilateral vision
  • eye and vision examination both eyes:
    • best corrected visual acuity
    • anterior eye and lid examination
    • identification of entropion, ectropion or other lid anomaly
    • assessment of ocular surface disease
  • optometrist report less than 6 months old at time of referral
  • photograph – with patient’s consent, where secure image transfer, identification and storage is possible where appropriate