Criteria for referral to public hospital specialist clinic services

• Corneal and ocular surface conditions including:
  • Progressive corneal conditions causing vision loss
  • Corneal melting disorders
  • Graft versus host disease
  • New pigmented corneal or conjunctival lesions
  • Ocular surface squamous neoplasia
  • Patient requires corneal transplant
  • Progressive cicatrising conjunctivitis
  • Progressive keratoconus
  • Symptomatic pterygium
  • Symptomatic, recurrent corneal erosion syndrome.

Information to be included in the referral

Information that must be provided

• Comprehensive eye and vision assessment (usually performed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist) with refraction.
• Onset, severity and duration symptoms.

Provide if available

• Any history of:
  • herpetic eye disease
  • corneal transplant
  • contact lens use
  • traumatic eye injury
  • eye surgery
• If the person identifies as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.

Additional comments

The Summary and referral information lists the information that should be included in a referral request.

People experiencing disadvantage or other barriers to accessing eyecare services may be eligible to receive services through the Victorian Eyecare Service.

Where appropriate and available the referral may be directed to an alternative specialist clinic or service.

Referral to a public hospital is not appropriate for

• Dry eyes
• Blepharitis
• Asymptomatic pterygium.