Download Referral Guidelines for GP`s for the top five conditions causing

Referral Guidelines
Referral Guidelines for GP's for the top five conditions causing impaired vision
The guidelines below are to assist GPs to streamline their referrals and to help identify which
patients to refer and when. Listed is information required in order to assist with triaging the referral
and to provide better and more streamlined care for your patients. We have also provided some
indications for alternate referral pathways to assist the hospital to address the needs of patients
with more complex and acute needs.
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
When To Refer
blurred vision
Amsler chart
in centre of vision
NB urgent referral
(Within business
hours) - (TO ED or
local Ophthalmologist)
for definite new
symptoms of
blur/distortion. Wet
AMD is an
emergency!
Referral Pathways
Local Optometrist
For patients with
Family History but no
symptoms may be
referred to a local
optometrist for a
macula check.
Information To Include On The Referral
Letter
th pinhole)
Amsler result
Cataract
When To Refer
Referral Pathways
Refer to:
 the Eye and Ear
Hospital Eye
Services, or
interfere with working,  private
driving (night glare),
Ophthalmologist
reading or hobbies?
when ready for
surgery.
interested in surgery?
Information To Include On The Referral
Letter
vision is worse than
6/12
rfarin?
HbA1c, (HbA1c should be <= 10%, if higher
surgery may be postponed)
Diabetes
> eyeandear.org.au
When To Refer
Referral Pathways
diabetes require
screening for eye
disease
Local Optometrists
For initial / standard
screening for eye
disease in patients
with diabetes.
Information To Include On The Referral
Letter
pe I or II
months & previous 3 if available)
diabetes is first
diagnosed
at least 2 yearly if
baseline examination
is normal. Triggers for
immediate referrals:
 sudden control of
previously high BSL
 diagnosis of
chronic kidney
disease
other known diabetes complications
Glaucoma
Information To Include On The Referral
Letter
When To Refer
Referral Pathways
ocular pressure (IOP)
/ optic disc changes /
visual field scotoma #
Local Optometrist
For patients at
increased risk of
glaucoma (eg Family
History of glaucoma,
long term users of
(IOP), if available
corticosteroids), GPs
may refer patients to a
local optometrist for
screening and
assessment.
private
ophthalmologist
(FHx) of glaucoma
# for any practitioner
not confident/skilled at
examining for disc
changes, visual field
changes or IOP
please refer nonurgent patients to a
local optometrist
-Ocular Pressure
Refractive error
When To Refer
Referral Pathways
Once vision does not
improve after
refraction has been
performed by local
optometrist
NB. Referrals for
Local Optometrist
For glasses check
and patients with
difficulty reading in the
presbyopic age (4050) please refer to a
Information To Include On The Referral
Letter
vision (with pinhole)
> eyeandear.org.au
refraction or eyeglasses are not
accepted at the Eye
and Ear
local optometrist first.
More information
Download our referral guidelines and forms.
Factsheets on what services optometrists can provide, optometrists scope of practice and how to
find a local optometrist.
Information on the Victorian College of Optometry and services they provide.
Access the Eye and Ear’s Clinical Resources, including a printable version of the Amsler Chart.
> eyeandear.org.au