Ophthalmology (Eye Clinic)

The Department will periodically contact patients waiting for an outpatient clinic appointment via SMS, with a link to an electronic form.  This is part of routine waitlist auditing to ensure patient details are up to date.  If you receive this SMS, please update your details.

Assessment and management of adult and paediatric eye conditions

Availability

North South North West Statewide

Scope

THS Southern Region

The following conditions are not routinely seen at the RHH Eye Clinic and may be appropriately managed by the general practitioner or a local ophthalmologist or optometrist until they reach the clinical thresholds identified in these Referral Guidelines.

Patients with permanent low vision which cannot be corrected by glasses and affects daily functioning can be referred to Lions Low Vision Clinic.


THS Northern Region

There is no public eye clinic. See Health Pathways for private pathway.


THS North West Region

Information unavailable at this time.

Emergency conditions

Emergency conditions/symptoms include (not an exhaustive list):

  • Sudden loss of vision
  • Acute orbital compartment symptom requires emergency lateral cantholysis – refer supected cases in a time critical manor.
  • Chemical injury eye: irrigate immediately prior to referral
  • Amaurosis fugax (transient loss of vision)
  • Suspected giant cell arteritis or other vasculitis: refer immediately; don't wait for test results
  • Suspected papilloedema
  • Painful red eye
  • Significant ocular or orbital pain
  • Red, watery or discharging eye with reduced vision
  • Acute angle closure glaucoma (severe, acute onset ocular pain with a fixed, mid-dilated pupil and often associated nausea and vomiting)
  • Ocular, lid or orbital trauma
  • Sudden onset diplopia or ptosis
  • Sudden onset facial nerve palsy/inability to close eyes
  • Sudden reduction in vision or metamorphopsia (distortion of central vision)
  • Sudden uniocular changes in vision ± floaters or flashes and/or visual field disturbance
  • Orbital or preseptal cellulitis or acute dacryocystitis
  • Infant with epiphora, photophobia, and blepharospasm. Suspicion congenital glaucoma
  • Child with white pupillary reflex.

Referral process

A referral is required for all new appointments and must conform to the Referral Standards as outlined on For Clinicians. eReferral is now the preferred method of referral for this service and is available in all THS regions. Please refer via HealthLink SmartForm eReferral through your software system (either Best Practice, or Medical Director). For instructions, see Quick Guide: Creating an eReferral.

Please ask patients to bring all their glasses to their appointment.

Most patients attending the Eye Clinic will require drops to dilate their pupils.  Inform all patients that the instillation of eye drops may blur their vision. Therefore they should not drive a motor vehicle but should arrange to be driven or use other transport.

Clinic Appointments (appointments are based on clinical priority):

Emergency

Proceed to Emergency Department (ED).
LGH ED Reception  – Phone: (03) 6777 6405  Fax: (03) 6777 5201
MCH ED* – Phone: (03) 6478 5120  Fax: (03) 6441 5923
NWRH ED* – Phone: (03) 6493 6351 Fax: (03) 6464 1926
RHH ED Reception – Phone: (03) 6166 6100  Fax: (03) 6173 0489

Advice for medical practitioners can be given by the Medical Officer In Charge (MOIC) - see HealthPathways Tasmania for contact information.
*MCH and NWRH MOICs request GPs call them prior to referring a patient to ensure the patient is being sent appropriately to a safe destination.

Urgent / category 1

Urgent referrals should be accompanied by a phone call to the Consultant/Registrar to organise urgent review and the referral must be faxed.

We will endeavour to see these patients within ten days, or sooner if clinically indicated.

Semi-urgent / category 2

We will endeavour to see these patients within 12 weeks

Routine / category 3

Next available appointment

Referral template

For use by health professionals only