Ophthalmic presentations out of scope

​​Public outpatient services in ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø are generally not provided to patients presenting with these conditions.

On this page

  1. Adult patients (aged 16 years or over)
  2. Paediatric patients (aged 0 to 15 years)

Adult patients (aged 16 years or over)

Presenting conditionOut of scope (not routinely provided)
Age-related macular degeneration
  • Drusen.
  • Family history but asymptomatic.
  • Patients able to continue anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment in the community.
  • Retinal Pigment Epithelial (RPE) changes (previously called Dry Age-related Macular Degeneration).
Cataracts
  • Assessment with optometrist and not affecting activities of daily living (ADLs).
  • Lens opacities that do not cause visual symptoms or limit daily activities.
  • Patient does not want surgery.
  • Refractive lens exchange (except for medical reasons).
Diabetic retinopathy
  • Mild Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (NPDR).
  • Moderate NPDR or non-centre involving diabetic macular oedema. These patients should have an optical coherence tomography (OCT) or fundus photography by their local eye health professional. Refer to RANZCO Guidelines for timeframes.
  • Routine referral for screening.

Note: refer to local eye health professional for fundus photography.

Note: pregnant patients with any diabetic retinopathy should be referred.

Eyelid malposition (entropion and ectropion)Asymptomatic entropion or ectropion in the context of normal corneal sensation
Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy or  pseudophakic bullous keratopathy
  • Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy or pseudophakic bullous keratopathy and Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) 6/12 or better without functional impact on activities of daily living.
  • Patient does not want surgery.
Glaucoma
  • Ocular hypertension with intraocular pressure (IOP) < 28 mmHg with normal discs/fields and no other signs or risk factors for glaucoma.
  • Screening due to presence of glaucoma in family history.
KeratoconusKeratoconus with stable findings and tolerating visual aids (i.e. contact lenses, spectacles) with visual function meeting individual needs.
Lid lesions
  • Benign eyelid lesions not affecting vision or causing functional deficit.
  • Minor cosmetic eyelid lesions.
Low vision assistanceFor low vision assistance see Vision Australia, Guide Dogs Australia and Macular Disease Foundation Australia for more information.
Macular hole or epiretinal membrane
  • Asymptomatic, visual acuity 6/9 or better and no significant distortion.
  • Patient not willing to have surgery.
  • Vitreo-macular traction not causing distortion or visual loss.
Posterior capsular opacityPatient not willing to have YAG laser procedure.
Pterygium
  • Asymptomatic pte​rygium or symptoms treatable with topical therapy (i.e. not threatening visual axis).
  • Patient does not want surgery.
  • Pterygium ​≤ 1 mm from limbus to apex.
PtosisPatient does not want surgery.
Strabismus or ocular motility disorderNil out of scope criteria.

Paediatric patients (aged 0 to 15 years)

Presenting conditionOut of scope (not routinely provided)
Anisocoria (unequal pupil size)Nil out of scope criteria.
Cataracts
  • ​Screening for cataract aged > 8 years due to family history of congenital cataract.
  • Screening for cataract for aged > 8 years that do not have current treatment regime, medication or systemic disease that may cause development of cataract.
KeratoconusKeratoconus with stable findings and tolerating visual aids (i.e. contact lenses, spectacles) with visual function meeting individual needs.
Low vision assistanceFor low vision assistance see Vision Australia, Guide Dogs Australia and Macular Disease Foundation Australia for more information.
NystagmusNil out of scope criteria.
Optic nerve head swellingNil out of scope criteria.
PtosisNil out of scop​​e criteria.
Reduced visual acuityNil out of scope criteria.
Strabismus or ocular motility disorder Nil out of scope criteria.
UveitisNil out of scope criteria.

​
Current as at: Thursday 14 November 2024
Contact page owner: System Purchasing