Diabetes

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.

Availability

North South North West Statewide

Pre-referral work-up

History

Diabetic retinopathy screening is only offered to patients with at least mild changes as per RACGP Guidelines.

Asymptomatic patients must be screened by local Optometrist or GP with suitable training and experience.

All referrals should comply with the Standard Referral guidelines and include in particular:

  • Type of diabetes including duration of disease and management
  • Comorbidities especially indicating increased risk, for example hypertension
  • Past ophthalmic history especially of retinopathy, macula oedema or vitreous haemorrhage

Tests

  • Diabetic Retinopathy Screening report including retinal photos, OCT of maculae, visual acuity
  • HbA1c
  • Blood pressure
  • Fasting lipids

Interim/GP management

To refer a patient with this condition, please see the Ophthalmology clinic page for the full referral process and templates.

Patients with no, minimal or mild non proliferative diabetic retinopathy should be screened by their local ophthalmologist or optometrist as per the RACGP Guidelines.

For more information please see the Tasmanian Health Pathways website.

Emergency

Sudden loss of vision. Ring on call Ophthalmic Registrar to discuss.

Urgent / category 1

Progressive decrease in vision

Suspicion of diabetic macular oedema

Proliferative diabetic retinopathy or vitreous haemorrhage

Diabetic retinopathy in pregnancy

Semi-urgent / category 2

Pregnancy

Red flags are clinical indicators of possible serious underlying conditions requiring further medical intervention. They may or may not indicate an emergency.

National Diabetes Eye Screening Program

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:

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:

We will endeavour to see these patients within 12 weeks

Routine:

Next available appointment