Department of Health

Specialty: Ophthalmology
Age group: Adult

Immediately contact the ophthalmology registrar to arrange an urgent ophthalmology assessment for:

  • Sudden loss of vision
  • Corneal graft rejection
  • Contact lens keratitis or corneal ulcers
  • Embedded foreign body in the eye
  • Traumatic eye injuries.

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 ServiceExternal Link .

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.

Reviewed 26 May 2025

Statewide Referral Criteria

Contact us

Address
50 Lonsdale Street
Melbourne, VIC 3000

Phone
1300 650 172
National Relay Service

Email
plannedcare@health.vic.gov.au